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正常 (zhèng cháng) — normal; regular; ordinary

Definition

正常 emphasizes that something is functioning as it should — no problem, no abnormality. Pairs naturally with 日常 (routine/daily) and contrasts with 反常 (abnormal).

adjective
normalregularordinary

Examples

  • 正常，。
    Xiàn zài yí qiè zhèng cháng, bú yòng dān xīn.
    Everything is normal now, no need to worry.
  • 正常，。
    Zhè zhǒng shēng yīn bú zhèng cháng, wǒ men qù kàn yí xià.
    This sound is not normal, let's go check.
  • 正常，。
    Jiǎn chá jié guǒ hěn zhèng cháng, nǐ shēn tǐ hěn hǎo.
    The test results are normal; your body is fine.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

正zhèngregular
常chángusual

“正” and “常” both point to what is regular and usual, so together they mean “normal.”

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
止止zhǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng正zhèng
Same sound today

正 pairs 止 with 丁; 止 marks the sense and 丁 gives the sound.

Open 正 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
巾巾jīncloth
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng常cháng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

常 pairs 巾, a cloth, with 尚 as a sound part; the form originally referred to a lower garment.

Open 常 →
Appears in
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