普遍 (pǔbiàn) — universal, widespread, common
HSK 5 | adjective / adverb | existing or occurring generally among all people or in most places
普遍 (pǔbiàn)
Describes something that exists or applies broadly across a population or in most situations -- universally true, common, or widespread as a state of affairs.
Meanings
- [adjective] universal, widespread, common, general
- [adverb] generally, universally, widely
Example Sentences
焦虑是现代社会中普遍存在的心理问题。 Jiāolǜ shì xiàndài shèhuì zhōng pǔbiàn cúnzài de xīnlǐ wèntí. Anxiety is a psychological problem that is universally present in modern society.
这种观点在年轻一代中非常普遍。 Zhè zhǒng guāndiǎn zài niánqīng yīdài zhōng fēicháng pǔbiàn. This viewpoint is very common among the younger generation.
调查显示，对政策不满的情绪相当普遍。 Diàochá xiǎnshì, duì zhèngcè bùmǎn de qínxù xiāngdāng pǔbiàn. The survey shows that dissatisfaction with the policy is quite widespread.
尊重老人是中国文化中的一种普遍价值观。 Zūnjìng lǎorén shì Zhōngguó wénhuà zhōng de yī zhǒng pǔbiàn jiàzhíguān. Respect for the elderly is a universal value in Chinese culture.
随着医疗水平的提高，这种疾病已不再普遍。 Suízhe yīliáo shuǐpíng de tígāo, zhè zhǒng jíbìng yǐ bù zài pǔbiàn. With the improvement of medical standards, this disease is no longer common.
学界普遍认为，气候变化是当前最紧迫的全球性挑战。 Xuéjiè pǔbiàn rènwéi, qìhòu biànhuà shì dāngqián zuì jǐnpò de quánqiú xìng tiǎozhàn. It is generally believed in academia that climate change is the most pressing global challenge today.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 普遍现象 (pǔbiàn xiànxiàng) | a common/widespread phenomenon |
| 普遍存在 (pǔbiàn cúnzài) | to exist universally/widely |
| 普遍认为 (pǔbiàn rènwéi) | generally believed |
| 普遍适用 (pǔbiàn shìyòng) | universally applicable |
| 比较普遍 (bǐjiào pǔbiàn) | relatively common |
| 普遍价值 (pǔbiàn jiàzhí) | universal values |
Usage Notes
普遍 describes an existing, stable state of widespread presence, while 普及 (pǔjí) describes the dynamic process of something spreading. Use 普遍 to say "X is common" and 普及 to say "X is spreading/being promoted."
As an adverb, 普遍 frequently modifies verbs like 认为 (to believe), 存在 (to exist), and 反映 (to reflect) in formal writing: 社会普遍反映 (society generally reflects). This adverbial use is very common in journalism and academic Chinese.
Memory Hook
普 = everywhere (universal, like 普通 = common/ordinary). 遍 = all over (遍地 = everywhere on the ground). Something 普遍 is found everywhere, all over the place, without exception.