How common it is
普通 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say pǔtōng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
普通表示一般、不特别。
pǔ tōng biǎo shì yì bān 、 bú tè bié。
Ordinary means normal or not special.
Context note
普通常出现在日常、比较和分类里。
pǔ tōng cháng chū xiàn zài rì cháng 、 bǐ jiào hé fēn lèi lǐ。
Ordinary often appears in daily life, comparisons, and categories.
5 examples
这是一辆普通汽车。
zhè shì yí liàng pǔ tōng qì chē。
This is an ordinary car.
普通人也很重要。
pǔ tōng rén yě hěn zhòng yào。
Ordinary people are also important.
我穿普通衣服。
wǒ chuān pǔ tōng yī fu。
I wear ordinary clothes.
普通话很好学。
pǔ tōng huà hěn hào xué。
Mandarin is easy to learn.
今天很普通。
jīn tiān hěn pǔ tōng。
Today is ordinary.
5 mini stories
这家店看起来普通，但东西很好。
zhè jiā diàn kàn qǐ lái pǔ tōng， dàn dōng xī hěn hǎo。
This shop looks ordinary, but the things are good.
老师说普通的日子也能很美好。
lǎo shī shuō pǔ tōng de rì zi yě néng hěn měi hǎo。
The teacher said ordinary days can also be beautiful.
他虽然普通，但很认真。
tā suī rán pǔ tōng， dàn hěn rèn zhēn。
Although he is ordinary, he is very serious.
我喜欢普通而舒服的生活。
wǒ xǐ huan pǔ tōng ér shū fú de shēng huó。
I like an ordinary and comfortable life.
普通的事情也要认真做好。
pǔ tōng de shì qíng yě yào rèn zhēn zuò hǎo。
Even ordinary things should be done carefully.