平生(へいぜい)

へいぜい
noun, adverb
ordinarily; usually; in normal times
formaltime-general
1. ordinarily; usually; in normal times
Refers to everyday, routine circumstances as opposed to special or extraordinary situations. Used both as a noun (normal times) and as an adverb (normally, usually).
平生(へいぜい)は穏(おだ)やかな人(ひと)だ。
He's normally a calm person.
平生(へいぜい)の心(こころ)がけが大切(たいせつ)だ。
One's everyday mindset is important.
平生(へいぜい)から備(そな)えておけば、災害(さいがい)時(じ)にも慌(あわ)てなくて済(す)む。
If you prepare in normal times, you won't panic during a disaster.

A somewhat literary or formal synonym for 普段(ふだん) (usually, normally). Emphasizes the contrast between ordinary circumstances and exceptional situations.

Common collocations

  • 平生(へいぜい)の行(おこな)い: everyday conduct
  • 平生(へいぜい)の心(こころ)がけ: one's usual attitude/mindset
  • 平生(へいぜい)から: from ordinary times onward (implying habitual preparation)

Similar words

  • 普段(ふだん): usually, normally — more common in everyday speech
  • 日頃(ひごろ): on a daily basis, ordinarily — similar formality level
  • 平素(へいそ): ordinarily — even more formal, used in business correspondence

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More literary and formal than 普段(ふだん). Common in essays, formal writing, and proverbs.

Related Words

Compare: 普段(ふだん) (usually, normally)
Compare: 日頃(ひごろ) (on a daily basis, ordinarily)
general
Added 2026.3.25 12:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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