常识

• Pinyin: cháng shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 常 = 尚 (esteem) + 巾 (cloth), meaning constant or ordinary; 识 = 讠(speech) + 只 (phonetic, simplified), meaning knowledge

Meaning

Common sense; common knowledge. Basic facts or understanding that most people are expected to know.

Refers to widely shared, fundamental knowledge about everyday life, safety, health, or social norms. Often used to talk about things people should already know. Can carry a slightly critical tone when someone lacks it.

Examples

1. 过马路要看红绿灯，这是基本常识。 You should look at the traffic lights when crossing the road — that's basic common sense.
2. 多了解一些生活常识对自己有好处。 Learning more common-sense knowledge about daily life is good for you.
3. 他连这种常识都不知道，真让人吃惊。 He doesn't even know this kind of common knowledge — it's really surprising.

Usage Guide

Context: education, everyday, discussion

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 安全常识应该从小学习。(Safety common sense should be learned from a young age.)
• 这是一本关于科学常识的书。(This is a book about common scientific knowledge.)

Don't Say

• 量子物理是常识 (Don't call specialized academic topics 常识 — it refers to things everyone should know, not expert knowledge)

Origin & History

常 means common or ordinary; 识 means knowledge or awareness. Together they mean commonly held knowledge.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal