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Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Learn Chinese Vocab: 普遍(pǔbiàn) vs普通(pǔtōng

A.普遍(pǔbiàn):一般用来形容一种现象(phenomenon)

普遍(pǔbiàn) means "common" as an adjective, and "generally speaking" as an adverb (副词(fùcí)).

1. 我觉得这是一个普遍(pǔbiàn)的社会问题。

I think this is a common social problem.

2. 最近有报道(bao4dao4)(cheng1),中国孩子压力普遍(pǔbiàn=generally)较大。

There was a report recently that stated that China children' stress are generally relatively large.

3. 韩国人对我国普遍(generally)印象(yin4xiang4= impression)怎么样?

What is the general impression of Koreans on our country?

B. 普通(pǔ​tōng):一般用来形容人和物(is commonly used to describe people and things)。普通 is only used as an adjective

1. 他穿的衣服很普通(ordinary, nothing special)

The clothes he wear is very ordinary.

2. 这个人长得很普通。

This person looks very ordinary.

3. 普通人说普通话,穿普通衣。

Ordinary people speak Mandarin and wear ordinary clothes

4. 这个头像很普通,人人都有。

This avatar is very common, everyone has it.

If something is "common" this means that many people can relate to it or have it. If something is "ordinary" this means that it is plain or not special.

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