1.
emergency, extraordinary
An unusual or urgent situation requiring immediate attention.
非常口はどこですか。
Where is the emergency exit?
非常な事態が起きました。
An emergency situation has occurred.
非常ベルが鳴ったら、すぐに避難してください。
When the emergency bell rings, please evacuate immediately.
2.
very, extremely
Used adverbially (非常に) to intensify adjectives or verbs.
非常に難しいです。
It is very difficult.
非常に as intensifier
非常に興味があります。
I am very interested.
この料理は非常に美味しいです。
This dish is extremely delicious.
非常 has two main uses: 'emergency' as a noun/na-adjective, and 'very' as an adverb.
FORMS:
- Adverbial: 非常に (very, extremely)
- Na-adjective: 非常な + noun (emergency ~)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 非常に + adjective (very ~)
- 非常口 (emergency exit)
- 非常事態 (emergency situation)
- 非常ベル (emergency bell/alarm)
SIMILAR WORDS (as intensifier):
- とても: very (neutral)
- 非常に: very (formal)
- すごく: very (casual)