日常

• Pinyin: rì cháng
• Hanzi breakdown: 日 = pictograph of the sun, meaning day; 常 = 尚 (esteem) + 巾 (cloth), meaning constant or regular

Meaning

Daily; everyday; routine. Relating to the ordinary activities and events that happen regularly.

An adjective used to describe things that are part of regular, everyday life. Very common in both spoken and written Chinese. Often modifies nouns like 生活 (life), 工作 (work), or 用品 (supplies). Also used as a noun in internet slang to share snippets of daily life (发日常 = post about one's daily routine). Slightly more formal than 每天的.

Examples

1. 日常生活中，我们要注意健康饮食。 In daily life, we should pay attention to healthy eating.
2. 这些是他日常工作的一部分。 These are part of his daily work.
3. 她喜欢在网上分享自己的日常。 She likes to share her daily life online.

Usage Guide

Context: lifestyle, work, social media, health

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 运动应该成为日常习惯。(Exercise should become a daily habit.)
• 他的日常就是上班、做饭、看书。(His daily routine is going to work, cooking, and reading.)

Don't Say

• 昨天是一个很日常的事故。(Don't use 日常 for a one-time event like an accident — 日常 means routine and regular. Say 普通的 or 一般的 for ordinary.)

Origin & History

日 means day or sun; 常 means constant or regular (尚 high + 巾 cloth, the hem of a long garment that stays constant). Together: that which happens every day — ordinary and regular.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal