当众

• Pinyin: dāng zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 = in front of, facing; 众 = 三个人 (three people — a crowd)

Meaning

In public; in front of everyone present; before a crowd or group. Emphasises that an action occurs openly with witnesses.

Used to indicate that a statement, action, or event takes place openly before others, often implying public accountability, commendation, or humiliation. More formal than 公开地 and emphasises the social weight of having witnesses.

Examples

1. 老师当众批评学生的行为，引发了关于教育方式的广泛讨论。 The teacher's public criticism of the student sparked broad discussion about educational methods.
2. 董事长当众宣布了公司未来五年的战略发展规划。 The chairman publicly announced the company's strategic development plan for the next five years.
3. 他因出色的表现当众受到了市长的嘉奖。 Because of his outstanding performance, he received public commendation from the mayor.

Usage Guide

Context: public speech, social accountability, ceremonies

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 领导当众表彰了在抗灾救援中表现突出的志愿者们。(The leader publicly commended the volunteers who performed outstandingly in disaster relief efforts.)
• 他当众承诺将在三个月内完成整改，并接受监督。(He publicly pledged to complete the rectification within three months and accept oversight.)

Don't Say

• 当众我不想说 — 当众 is an adverb modifying actions, not a topic marker; restructure as 我不想在众人面前说

Origin & History

当 (in the presence of) + 众 (crowd, many people)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal