Meaning
平凡 describes something or someone that is ordinary, common, or without special distinction. It refers to the everyday, normal aspects of life or people who lead simple, unexceptional lives. The term carries a neutral to slightly positive connotation, often emphasizing the value and dignity found in ordinary life.
Usage
平凡 is commonly used to describe people, lives, jobs, or things that lack extraordinary features. It's frequently paired with 伟大 (great) in the phrase 平凡而伟大 to honor the nobility of ordinary people doing important everyday work. In modern usage, it can describe someone's humble background or unremarkable appearance without necessarily being derogatory.
Examples
- 01他只是一个平凡的工人，但他的工作很重要。, .He's just an ordinary worker, but his work is very important.
- 02我向往平凡而幸福的生活。.I yearn for an ordinary but happy life.
Characters
Common collocations
- 平凡的人ordinary person
- 平凡的生活ordinary life
- 平凡而伟大ordinary yet great
- 不平凡extraordinary, not ordinary
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the concept of ordinariness: 平 originally meant 'level' or 'flat' (lacking peaks), while 凡 refers to the mundane or mortal world. Together they emphasize the commonplace nature of something.