Time WordsHSK 5
Comparing 平时 and 平常
Both 平时 (píngshí) and 平常 (píngcháng) can be used as adverbs meaning 'usually' or 'in normal times,' but 平常 can also function as an adjective meaning 'ordinary' or 'common.' When expressing habitual actions, they are often interchangeable, though 平常 may carry a slightly more general sense of 'ordinarily.'
Structure
Subj. + 平常 + Verb
Subj. + 平时 + Verb
with the same adverbial meaning 'usually'
Examples
- 你平常会健身吗？Nǐ píng cháng huì jiàn shēn ma?Do you often work out?
- 我平常不吃零食。Wǒ píng cháng bù chī líng shí.I usually don't eat snacks.
- 你平时看新闻吗？Nǐ píng shí kàn xīn wén ma?Do you usually watch the news?
- 她平时不买奢侈品。Tā píng shí bù mǎi shē chǐ pǐn.She usually doesn't buy luxury goods.