非常

• Reading: ひじょう
• Romaji: hijou
• Kanji breakdown: 非 (hi) — non-, not; 常 (jou) — ordinary, usual
• Pronunciation: /hi.dʑoː/

Meaning

Emergency; extraordinary; extremely unusual. Used as both a noun and adverb.

A versatile word that functions as a noun meaning 'emergency' and as an adverb meaning 'extremely/very.' As a noun: 非常口 (hijouguchi, emergency exit), 非常事態 (hijou jitai, state of emergency), 非常食 (hijoushoku, emergency food). As an adverb (非常に): replaces とても in formal writing and speech. 非常に is more formal than とても but less literary than 極めて (kiwamete).

Examples

1. 非常口の場所を確認しておいてください。 Please check the location of the emergency exit.
2. その知らせを聞いて非常に驚いた。 I was extremely surprised when I heard the news.
3. 地震に備えて非常食を用意している。 I keep emergency food on hand in case of an earthquake.

Usage Guide

Context: emergencies, formal writing, emphasis

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 非 (hi, non-/not) and 常 (jou, ordinary/usual). Literally 'not ordinary' — something beyond the normal state of affairs.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal