异常

• Pinyin: yì cháng
• Hanzi breakdown: 异 = 田 (field) + 共 (together) variant — something different; 常 = 尚 + 巾 — normal

Meaning

Abnormal; unusual; exceptionally. As an adverb: extremely, unusually.

As an adjective, describes something deviating from the norm, often with negative connotations in medical or technical contexts. As an adverb, it intensifies adjectives, meaning 'extremely' or 'unusually.' Common in formal writing, medical diagnoses, and technical descriptions. In programming, refers to exceptions or errors.

Examples

1. 检查结果显示一切正常，没有发现任何异常。 The examination results show everything is normal; no abnormalities were found.
2. 她对这件事的反应异常激烈，让所有人都感到意外。 Her reaction to this matter was unusually intense, surprising everyone.
3. 今年冬天异常寒冷，创下了近十年来的最低温纪录。 This winter has been unusually cold, setting the lowest temperature record in the past decade.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, technical, emphasis

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 系统检测到异常，请稍后重试。(The system detected an anomaly; please try again later.)
• 今天的交通异常拥堵。(Traffic is unusually congested today.)

Don't Say

• 这个异常好吃。(In casual speech, use 特别 or 非常 — 异常 sounds overly formal for simple compliments)

Origin & History

Compound of 异 (different, strange) and 常 (normal, constant). Together they express deviation from the normal or usual state.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal