Definition
平常 (píngcháng) has two uses. As an adjective, it means 'ordinary, common' in the sense of 'usual, everyday' — something not special or out of the ordinary. This is similar to 普通 (pǔtōng, 'average, common'), but 平常 emphasizes routine or typicality. As a noun, 平常 means 'ordinary times' (e.g., 在平常 'in ordinary times'), while 平时 (píngshí) is more common for the adverb 'usually'.
adjective
ordinarycommon
noun
ordinary timesusual days
Examples
- 平常，。Zhè jiàn shì hěn píng cháng, bú yòng juéde qíguài.This matter is very ordinary; there's no need to find it strange.
- 平常。Tā chuān le yí jiàn hěn píng cháng de yīfu.He wore a very ordinary piece of clothing.
- 平常，。Zài píng cháng, tā dōu hěn máng.In ordinary times, he is always very busy.
Grammar
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