1.
ordinary; commonplace; unremarkable; mediocre
Lacking anything special or outstanding; neither particularly good nor bad. Can describe people, lives, abilities, or things. Sometimes carries a slightly negative nuance of being dull or unexceptional.
平凡な毎日を送る。
To lead an ordinary life.
彼は平凡なサラリーマンだ。
He is an ordinary office worker.
平凡な幸せこそが一番大切だと気づいた。
I realized that ordinary happiness is the most important thing.
A な-adjective from 平凡, a compound of 平 (flat, ordinary) and 凡 (ordinary, mediocre). The word can be neutral (simply meaning ordinary) or slightly negative (implying dullness or mediocrity), depending on context.
USAGE:
When used about oneself, it often conveys humility. When used about others or things, it can imply they are unremarkable or disappointing. However, in expressions like 平凡な幸せ (ordinary happiness), it takes on a positive nuance of appreciating the simple things in life.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 平凡な人生 — an ordinary life
- 平凡な日常 — everyday ordinariness
- 非凡 — extraordinary (antonym, using the same 凡)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 普通 — normal, ordinary (more neutral, everyday word)
- 地味 — plain, understated (focuses on appearance)
- 凡庸 — mediocre (more literary, more negative)