普通 (pǔtōng) — ordinary / common

普通 (pǔtōng)

普通 means ordinary, common, or average. It describes something or someone that is not special or exceptional. A key compound is 普通话 (Mandarin Chinese), literally "common speech," the standard spoken language of China. A related word is 一般 (yībān), which also means ordinary or general. Both can often be used interchangeably in sentences like 这很普通 and 这很一般, but 普通话 is the fixed, official name for Mandarin and cannot be replaced with 一般话. When in doubt, 普通 emphasizes "not standing out," while 一般 often implies "so-so" or "not particularly good."

Meanings

1. [adjective] Ordinary; common; average; not special.

Example Sentences

他只是一个普通人。 Tā zhǐshì yī gè pǔtōng rén. He is just an ordinary person.

这家餐厅的菜很普通，没什么特别的。 Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài hěn pǔtōng, méi shénme tèbié de. The food at this restaurant is quite ordinary, nothing special.

你会说普通话吗？ Nǐ huì shuō Pǔtōnghuà ma? Can you speak Mandarin Chinese?

普通火车比高铁慢，但是票价便宜。 Pǔtōng huǒchē bǐ gāotiě màn, dànshì piàojià piányí. Regular trains are slower than high-speed rail, but the tickets are cheaper.

Collocations

Memory Hook

普 (universal/widespread) plus 通 (common/connected). What is universally connected to everyone is ordinary and common. 普通话 is the language that connects all of China.