Definition
普通 (pǔtōng) is the most common, neutral word for 'ordinary, common' – something not special or unusual. 一般 (yībān) overlaps but also means 'so-so' and is used in comparisons (和...一样). 平常 (píngcháng) emphasizes 'usual, everyday' and can also be a noun ('ordinary times').
adjective
commonordinaryaverage
Examples
- 。Tā zhǐshì yí gè pǔ tōng rén.He is just an ordinary person.
- 普通。Zhè zhǒng cài zài chāoshì hěn pǔ tōng.This kind of vegetable is very common in supermarkets.
- 普通。Zhè jiàn yīfu yàngzi hěn pǔ tōng.This piece of clothing looks very ordinary.
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