01
publik
public
Known to the public; not secret.
example
Es wurde nie publik, wie viel er für das Unternehmen bezahlt hat.
It never became public how much he paid for the company.
publik
public
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Sentence structure: almost only predicative
The adjective 'publik' (public) is used almost exclusively predicatively, that is, after a verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become). Using it directly before a noun (e.g., 'eine publike Information') is very uncommon and sounds unnatural.
EXAMPLE
Die geheime Absprache wurde schnell publik.
The secret agreement quickly became public.
Word family
'Publik' (public) is closely related to the noun 'das Publikum' (the audience/public). Both words refer to the public. Something that is 'publik' (public) is known to the 'Publikum' (public).
EXAMPLE
Die Sängerin wollte die Neuigkeit nicht vor ihrem Publikum verbergen.
The singer did not want to hide the news from her audience.
Fixed expressions
'Publik' (public) most often appears in the fixed expressions 'publik werden' (to become public) and 'publik machen' (to make public). These two constructions are central to the use of the word.
EXAMPLE
Es dauerte nicht lange, bis die Gerüchte publik wurden.
It did not take long for the rumors to become public.
Compare with
publik vs bekannt
known
'bekannt' and 'publik' can both mean that something is not secret or is known by other people. However, 'bekannt' is much more general: a person, a place, a name, or a piece of information can be 'bekannt'. 'publik' is used more when something becomes public, especially with information, decisions, or problems. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with knowledge in the public sphere. As a simple guide: 'bekannt' fits many normal situations, while 'publik' sounds more like the press, the public, or an official announcement.
publik
Nach dem Bericht wurde der Fehler der Firma publik.
After the report, the company's mistake became public.
bekannt
Der neue Park in der Stadt ist schon vielen Familien bekannt.
The new park in the city is already known to many families.
In real life
Loading video examples...