commune
Definitions
To share one's thoughts or feelings intimately; to feel in close spiritual contact with
（与人）亲密交谈，倾心交流；（与自然/神等）心灵相通
A group of people who live together and share property and responsibilities
公社（共享财产与责任的群体）
The smallest administrative district in some countries, especially France
（某些国家，尤指法国的）最小行政区，市镇
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcom- (together) + mun- (duty/share) = 'to hold in common.' As a verb, to commune is to share thoughts so fully you become one in mind — commune with nature, commune with God. As a noun, a commune is a community that holds property and work in common, or a small administrative district.
Root common still carries 9 more wordsUsage Guide
- stress shift: the verb is com-MUNE (stress on the second syllable); the noun is COM-mune (stress on the first).
- verb pattern: almost always 'commune with' — commune with nature, with the dead, with God. It is literary/elevated, not casual.
- noun sense: 'a commune' often evokes 1960s-70s collective living; in France/Italy it is simply the basic local government unit.
Example Sentences
- 1.
She walked alone into the hills to commune with nature.
- 2.
In the 1970s they left the city to live in a rural commune.
- 3.
Each French commune elects its own mayor and council.
Easily Confused
commune vs communicate — both come from commūnis ('to make common'). communicate is the everyday word for exchanging information. commune is rarer and deeper: to share feelings or spirit, usually with nature/God/the dead, not facts. You communicate a message; you commune with the universe.