公益

• Pinyin: gōng yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 公 = public; 益 = 水 (water overflowing) + 皿 (vessel) — overflow of benefit

Meaning

Public welfare; the common good; charitable causes. Activities or organisations aimed at benefiting society at large without a profit motive.

Encompasses charity, volunteer work, environmental protection, and community service. Common collocations: 公益广告 (public service advertisement), 公益事业 (public welfare undertaking), 公益活动 (charity event), 公益基金 (public welfare fund). Carries strongly positive associations with social responsibility and civic virtue.

Examples

1. 这家企业每年拨出部分利润用于支持公益事业的发展。 Each year, the company sets aside part of its profits to support public welfare initiatives.
2. 她利用业余时间积极参与公益活动，为山区孩子筹募助学资金。 In her spare time, she actively volunteers for charitable causes, raising scholarship funds for children in mountainous areas.
3. 公益广告在黄金时段播出，呼吁公众增强生态环保意识。 A public service announcement aired during prime time, urging the public to strengthen awareness of environmental protection.

Usage Guide

Context: charity, social responsibility, community, philanthropy

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 志愿者参与公益服务是无私奉献精神的具体体现。(Volunteers participating in public welfare services are a concrete expression of selfless dedication.)
• 公司连续五年举办公益捐书活动，惠及偏远山区的学生。(The company has held a public welfare book donation drive for five consecutive years, benefiting students in remote mountain areas.)

Don't Say

• 用'公益'描述以推广品牌为主要目的的赞助活动 — if the primary aim is brand promotion, use 赞助 or 商业宣传; 公益 implies genuine social benefit without commercial motive

Origin & History

公 (public) + 益 (benefit/welfare)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal