普通

• 拼音: pǔ tōng
• 汉字拆解: 普 = 并 (together) + 日 (sun), meaning universal; 通 = 辶 (walk) + 甬 (passage), meaning to pass through

含义

Ordinary; common; average. Describes something unremarkable or without special distinction.

A widely used adjective for describing things, people, or situations that are average and not special. Appears in the important compound 普通话 (standard Mandarin). Can be self-deprecating when describing oneself as 普通人 (ordinary person), or neutral when describing everyday items.

例句

1. 我只是一个普通人。
2. 这是一家普通的饭店。
3. 今天是很普通的一天。

用法指南

语境: self-description, comparison, everyday

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 这只是很普通的菜。(This is just ordinary food.)
• 他是一个普通的上班族。(He is an ordinary office worker.)

错误说法

• 不要在夸奖别人时用普通 (Don't use 普通 as a compliment — it implies someone or something is unremarkable; use 特别 or 出色 for praise)

起源与历史

普 (pǔ, universal/general) + 通 (tōng, common/connected). Together they mean 'universally common' — ordinary because it is widespread.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal