典型(てんけい)

典型(てんけい) 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(てんけいてき)(な).

Common forms

• 典型的(てんけいてき)な〜: typical ~, classic ~ (na-adjective, very common)
• 〜の典型(てんけい): a typical example of ~

Common collocations

• 典型的(てんけいてき)な例(れい): typical example
• 典型的(てんけいてき)な日本人(にほんじん): typical Japanese person
• 典型的(てんけいてき)な症状(しょうじょう): typical symptoms
• 典型的(てんけいてき)な間違(まちが)い: typical mistake

Usage

典型的(てんけいてき) can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context. Saying someone is a 典型的(てんけいてき)なサラリーマン may imply they are stereotypically conventional.

Similar words

• 代表的(だいひょうてき): representative, exemplary (more positive)
• 標準的(ひょうじゅんてき): standard, normal