Meaning
平常 describes something that is ordinary, regular, or unremarkable. It can function as an adjective meaning 'ordinary' or 'common,' or as an adverb meaning 'usually' or 'normally.' The word combines 平 (flat, level) and 常 (constant, regular) to convey the sense of 'regular' or 'everyday.'
Usage
When used as an adjective, 平常 describes people, things, or situations that are not special or extraordinary. As an adverb, it's commonly used at the beginning of sentences to mean 'usually' or 'normally,' similar to 平时. It has a neutral tone and is used in both spoken and written contexts.
Examples
- 01平常我七点起床，今天起晚了。, .I usually get up at seven o'clock, but today I got up late.
- 02他是个很平常的人，没什么特别的。, .He's a very ordinary person, nothing special about him.
Characters
Common collocations
- 平平常常very ordinary, run-of-the-mill
- 平常心calm mind, normal mentality
- 不平常unusual, extraordinary
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 平 (level/ordinary) and 常 (constant/regular) creates the meaning of something that is consistently ordinary or regular, emphasizing the everyday nature of things.