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平常 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
平常píngchángordinaryHSK 4, a, rank #3154, Medium
平常píngchángcommonHSK 4, a, rank #3154, Medium
平常píngchángusuallyHSK 4, a, rank #3154, Medium
平常píngchángordinarilyHSK 4, a, rank #3154, Medium
píngcháng(ping2chang2) T2
  1. 1ordinary
  2. 2common
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March 24, 2026
平常píngcháng(ping2chang2)

平常 refers to something that is ordinary or common, often used to describe routines or habits in daily life. It is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts to express the idea of what is usual or typical.

Frequency#3154DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 平常 is tied to the value placed on simplicity and routine. Many traditional practices emphasize the importance of daily life and common experiences, reflecting a deep appreciation for the ordinary.

Memory Tip

Think of 平 (ping) as a flat and even surface, representing something normal or usual, and 常 (chang) suggests continuity. Imagine a flat road where cars travel every day; this represents the idea of平常 as the everyday journey of life.

Meanings of 平常

píngcháng(ping2chang2)
1ordinary
2common
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 平常

平常Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#3154Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 平常

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Podcast: 平常

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AI Study Notes for 平常

Quick Contrast

平常 (ordinary) vs 常见 (common) — use 平常 for habitual or routine contexts, while 常见 emphasizes frequency or prevalence.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 平 (ping) as a flat and even surface, representing something normal or usual, and 常 (chang) suggests continuity. Imagine a flat road where cars travel every day; this represents the idea of平常 as the everyday journey of life.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context; 平常 is often used in informal settings to describe everyday activities. A common mistake is to confuse it with 非常 (feichang), which means 'very' or 'extremely.' Make sure to use the appropriate tone and context when referring to routines.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 平常 connects well with other words related to daily life and routines. Focus on using it in sentences that describe habits or typical situations to reinforce its meaning and usage.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 平常 is tied to the value placed on simplicity and routine. Many traditional practices emphasize the importance of daily life and common experiences, reflecting a deep appreciation for the ordinary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 平常 when they mean 'very' or 'extremely' and might say '非常平常' incorrectly; instead, use '非常普通' (feichang putong). Additionally, some may confuse it with '平时' (pingshi), which emphasizes a habitual aspect rather than ordinariness.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 平常

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Component Characters

平píngflat
HSK 55 strokes广
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常chángalways
HSK 311 strokes巾
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Write 平常

平
常

Practice writing 平常 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 平常

平常 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

在街上看见有人饿晕是很____的事。

It's commonplace to see people collapsing from hunger in the streets.

Example Sentences for 平常 (10)

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1
在街上看见有人饿晕是很平常的事。

zài jiē shàng kàn jiàn yǒu rén è yùn shì hěn píng cháng de shì。

It's commonplace to see people collapsing from hunger in the streets.
2
像平常一样，他们是在厨房吃的饭。

xiàng píng cháng yī yàng， ， tā mén shì zài chú fáng chī de。

They ate, as they usually did, in the kitchen.
3
平常在办公室里寡言少语的莱希医生似乎少了些拘谨，多了几分轻松。

píng cháng zài bàn gōng shì lǐ guǎ yán shǎo yǔ de lái xī yī shēng sì hū shǎo le xiē jū jǐn， ， duō le jī fēn qīng。

Usually so laconic in the office, Dr. Lahey seemed less guarded, more relaxed.
4
斯坦说得比平常还要慢。

sī tǎn shuō dé bǐ píng cháng huán yào màn。

Stan was speaking even more slowly than usual.
5
像平常那样在头发上抹上洗发液。

xiàng píng cháng nà yàng zài tóu fā shàng mǒ shàng xǐ fā yè。

Lather your hair as normal.
6
平常我骑自行车上班.

píng cháng wǒ qí zì háng chē shàng bān.

I go to work by bicycle as a rule.
7
这种情形,差不多是平常的日课,直要到叶落秋深的时候.

zhè zhǒng qíng xíng, , chà bù duō shì píng cháng de rì, kè , zhí yào dào yè luò qiū shēn de.

This is a daily occurrence right into late autumn when the leaves start to fall.
8
饭菜没什么特别, 挺平常的.

fàn cài méi shí mó tè bié, , tǐng píng cháng.

There was nothing special about the meal ; it was average.
9
这次输的钱,加上平常的开支, 已经花去了很多.

zhè cì shū de qián, , jiā shàng píng cháng de kāi, zhī , yǐ jīng huā qù le.

With this loss and ordinary expenses, so much had already gone.
10
把尿布叠起，像平常扔东西一样扔掉即可。

bǎ niào bù dié qǐ， ， xiàng píng cháng rēng dōng xī yī yàng rēng diào jí。

Just fold up the nappy and dispose of it in the normal manner.

Cultural Notes for 平常

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 平常 is tied to the value placed on simplicity and routine. Many traditional practices emphasize the importance of daily life and common experiences, reflecting a deep appreciation for the ordinary.

Frequently Asked Questions about 平常

You can say '我的平常生活很忙' (My everyday life is very busy) to illustrate routine.