Definition
通常 (tōngcháng) means 'usually, normally' and describes what happens in the typical or expected case. It is more formal and written than 一般 (yībān 'generally, ordinarily'), which is the everyday spoken word. As an adverb, 通常 goes before the verb; as an adjective, it modifies a noun (e.g., 通常的做法 'the usual practice').
adverb
usuallygenerallynormally
adjective
usualnormal
Easily confused
- 通畅tōng chàngsound-alike(of roads, passages) unobstructed, clear
Examples
- 通常。Wǒ tōng cháng měi zhōu qù túshū guǎn.I usually go to the library every week.
- 通常。Zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng tōng cháng zài xiàjì fāshēng.This situation usually happens in summer.
- 通常，。Suīrán tōng cháng de zuòfǎ shì zhèyàng, dàn yě kěyǐ gǎibiàn.Although the usual practice is like this, you can also change it.
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