非常に

• Reading: ひじょうに
• Romaji: hijouni
• Kanji breakdown: 非 (hi) — not, non; 常 (jou/tsune) — ordinary, usual
• Pronunciation: /hi.dʑo.ɯ.ni/

Meaning

Extremely; very; exceedingly. A formal way to express a high degree of something.

An adverb used to intensify adjectives and verbs. More formal than とても or すごく. Common in business, academic, and official contexts: 非常に重要な問題 (an extremely important issue). 非常 alone is a noun meaning emergency (非常口 — emergency exit). The に particle makes it function as an adverb.

Examples

1. この問題は非常に難しいです。 This problem is extremely difficult.
2. 今日は非常に暑い一日でした。 Today was an extremely hot day.
3. ご協力に非常に感謝しております。 I am extremely grateful for your cooperation.

Usage Guide

Context: business, academic, formal speech

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 非 (hi, not/non) + 常 (jou, ordinary). Literally means not ordinary — something beyond the usual degree. Borrowed from classical Chinese usage.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal