普遍的(ふへんてき)

普遍的(ふへんてき) describes something that applies to or affects all people, places, or situations without exception.

Forms

普遍(ふへん) (universality) + 的(てき) (adjectival suffix). The base noun 普遍(ふへん) also exists and means "universality."

• Na-adjective: 普遍的(ふへんてき)な価値(かち) (universal value)
• Adverbial: 普遍的(ふへんてき)に当(あ)てはまる (applies universally)

Common collocations

• 普遍的(ふへんてき)な価値(かち): universal value
• 普遍的(ふへんてき)な真理(しんり): universal truth
• 普遍的(ふへんてき)なテーマ: universal theme
• 普遍的(ふへんてき)な原理(げんり): universal principle

Similar words

• 一般的(いっぱんてき): general (less absolute than universal)
• 共通(きょうつう): common, shared (more everyday)
• 万国共通(ばんこくきょうつう): common to all nations

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Formal/academic. Common in philosophy, law, and intellectual discourse. In casual speech, みんなに当(あ)てはまる (applies to everyone) is more natural.