正常

• Pinyin: zhèng cháng
• Hanzi breakdown: 正 = 一 (one) + 止 (stop), meaning 'correct'; 常 = 尚 (still) + 巾 (cloth)

Meaning

Normal; regular; ordinary. Describing something that is within the expected or standard range.

Used broadly to describe physical conditions, behaviours, situations, or processes that are functioning as expected. The opposite is 不正常 (abnormal). Common in medical, daily life, and work contexts.

Examples

1. 他的身体一切正常。 His health is all normal.
2. 今天的课正常上。 Today's class meets as usual.
3. 这种情况很正常，不用担心。 This kind of situation is very normal — don't worry.

Usage Guide

Context: health, everyday

Tone: informational

Do Say

• 一切都很正常。(Everything is normal.)
• 他的体温正常吗？(Is his temperature normal?)

Don't Say

• 这个天气正常热。(Don't use 正常 as an adverb before an adjective — say 天气正常 or 天气热是正常的.)

Origin & History

Compound of 正 (correct/proper) and 常 (usual/constant), literally 'correctly constant.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal