1.
type, model, typical example, archetype
A person or thing that perfectly represents a particular type or category.
これは日本家屋の典型だ。
This is a typical Japanese house.
彼は典型的なサラリーマンだ。
He is a typical company employee.
典型的な間違いを避ける。
Avoid typical mistakes.
典型 means a typical example or archetype — something that perfectly represents a particular type or category. Most commonly encountered in the adjectival form 典型的(な).
COMMON FORMS:
- 典型的な〜: typical ~, classic ~ (na-adjective, very common)
- 〜の典型: a typical example of ~
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 典型的な例: typical example
- 典型的な日本人: typical Japanese person
- 典型的な症状: typical symptoms
- 典型的な間違い: typical mistake
USAGE NOTE:
典型的 can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context. Saying someone is a 典型的なサラリーマン may imply they are stereotypically conventional.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 代表的: representative, exemplary (more positive)
- 標準的: standard, normal