平 凡(へいぼん)な

へいぼんな

na-adjective

ordinary; commonplace; unremarkable

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(へいぼん)な毎日(まいにち)を送(おく)る。

To lead an ordinary life.

彼(かれ)は平凡(へいぼん)なサラリーマンだ。

He is an ordinary office worker.

平凡(へいぼん)な幸(しあわ)せこそが一番(いちばん)大切(たいせつ)だと気(き)づいた。

I realized that ordinary happiness is the most important thing.

A な-adjective from 平凡(へいぼん), a compound of 平(へい) (flat, ordinary) and 凡(ぼん) (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(へいぼん)な幸(しあわ)せ (ordinary happiness), it takes on a positive nuance of appreciating the simple things in life.

Common collocations

平凡(へいぼん)な人生(じんせい) — an ordinary life
平凡(へいぼん)な日常(にちじょう) — everyday ordinariness
非凡(ひぼん) — extraordinary (antonym, using the same 凡(ぼん))

Similar words

普通(ふつう) — normal, ordinary (more neutral, everyday word)
地味(じみ) — plain, understated (focuses on appearance)
凡庸(ぼんよう) — mediocre (more literary, more negative)

Related Words

Compare: 普通(ふつう) (normal, ordinary)

Compare: 地味(じみ) (plain, understated)

Compare: 凡庸(ぼんよう) (mediocre)

general

Added 2026.3.29 0:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

20000/20159_heibonna