adjective HSK 3
ordinary · common · average · normal
Meaning
普通 describes something that is standard, unremarkable, or typical—neither special nor unusual. It conveys the sense of being commonplace or run-of-the-mill, without any particularly distinguishing features.
Usage
Native speakers use 普通 to describe everyday things, average people, or standard quality. It's neutral in tone and commonly appears before nouns (普通人 'ordinary person') or after 很 (很普通 'very ordinary'). It's less formal than 一般 but more neutral than 平凡.
Examples
- 01他只是一个普通的上班族。.He's just an ordinary office worker.
- 02这家餐厅的菜很普通，没什么特别的。, .The food at this restaurant is very ordinary, nothing special.
Characters
Common collocations
- 普通人ordinary person, average person
- 普通话Mandarin Chinese (standard Chinese)
- 很普通very ordinary
- 普通朋友ordinary friend, just a friend
Antonyms
Origin
普 originally meant 'universal' or 'everywhere,' while 通 means 'to pass through' or 'common.' Together they create the meaning of 'universally common' or 'generally found everywhere.'