普通(ふつう)

ふつう
noun, na-adjective, adverb
ordinary, usually
abstract
1. ordinary, normal, usual
Not special or different from what is expected.
普通(ふつう)の人(ひと)だ。
He's an ordinary person.
普通(ふつう)の生活(せいかつ)がしたい。
I want to live a normal life.
Is this a normal size?
I took the local train, so it took a long time.
I thought this dish was ordinary, but my friend said it was very delicious.
2. usually, normally
Under normal circumstances.
普通(ふつう)は歩(ある)く。
I usually walk.
普通(ふつう)、朝(あさ)7時(じ)に起(お)きる。
I usually wake up at 7 a.m.
I usually rest at home on Sundays.
This store is usually open until 10 p.m.
I usually commute by train, but on rainy days I sometimes drive.

普通(ふつう) means ordinary, normal, or usually. It's highly versatile, functioning as a noun, な-adjective, and adverb.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (as an adjective):

USAGE (as adverb):

Usage

普通(ふつう)電車(でんしゃ) (local train) stops at every station, unlike 急行(きゅうこう) (express) or 特急(とっきゅう) (limited express).

Similar words

Watch out

  • In casual speech, especially among younger people, 普通(ふつう)に can mean "honestly, quite": 普通(ふつう)においしい "it's actually pretty good", not "ordinarily tasty".