Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
普遍pǔbiàn(pu3bian4)
普遍 (pǔbiàn) refers to something that is universal or widespread, indicating that it is common across a certain area or among a certain group of people. It can be used in contexts ranging from social behaviors to scientific principles, emphasizing the broad applicability of a concept or phenomenon.
Frequency#9976DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, the concept of 普遍 often relates to collective experiences, such as social norms and values that are widely accepted across different regions and communities, reflecting the importance of harmony and shared understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'uniform' (普 - pǔ) coat that everyone (遍 - biàn) wears, making it clear that it’s common to all. The visual of everyone in the same coat helps reinforce the idea of universality and the pronunciation of the word.
Meanings of 普遍
pǔbiàn(pu3bian4)
1universal
2general
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 普遍
普遍Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#9976Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 普遍
Podcast: 普遍
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 普遍
Quick Contrast
普遍 (pǔbiàn) vs 广泛 (guǎngfàn): use 普遍 for emphasis on universality or commonality among a group, while 广泛 emphasizes a wide range or extensive coverage.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'uniform' (普 - pǔ) coat that everyone (遍 - biàn) wears, making it clear that it’s common to all. The visual of everyone in the same coat helps reinforce the idea of universality and the pronunciation of the word.
Usage Notes
普遍 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of tone; the third tone (pǔ) and fourth tone (biàn) must be pronounced correctly to convey the meaning accurately. Common collocations include '普遍现象' (universal phenomenon) and '普遍接受' (widely accepted).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 普遍 connects to other adjectives describing extent and frequency, such as 常见 (common) or 广泛 (extensive). Focus on using it in sentences that require describing commonality or generalization.
Cultural Note
In Chinese society, the concept of 普遍 often relates to collective experiences, such as social norms and values that are widely accepted across different regions and communities, reflecting the importance of harmony and shared understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 普遍 with 频繁 (frequent), which implies regularity rather than universality. For example, saying '这种情况是频繁的' (This situation is frequent) instead of '这种情况是普遍的' (This situation is universal) can lead to misunderstanding.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 普遍
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 普遍 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 普遍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 普遍
普遍 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The five - day week is now usual in institutions of higher learning.
10
大气污染程度超出了普遍认可的标准10倍或更多。
dà qì wū rǎn chéng dù chāo chū le pǔ biàn rèn kě de biāo zhǔn10 10 bèi huò gēng。
The air pollution exceeds most acceptable levels by 10 times or more.
Cultural Notes for 普遍
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese society, the concept of 普遍 often relates to collective experiences, such as social norms and values that are widely accepted across different regions and communities, reflecting the importance of harmony and shared understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about 普遍
You can say '这种观点在社会上是普遍存在的' (This viewpoint is universally present in society).
No, 普遍 can be used in both casual conversation and formal writing.
No, 普遍 specifically refers to something that is common or widespread.
