通俗(つうぞく)

つうぞく
noun
popular; commonplace; easy to understand; vulgar
1. popular; commonplace; accessible; easy to understand
Aimed at or understandable by ordinary people rather than specialists. Can carry either a neutral tone (accessible) or a slightly negative connotation (lowbrow, unsophisticated).
通俗(つうぞく)的(てき)な表現(ひょうげん)を使(つか)う。
To use popular (easy-to-understand) expressions.
通俗(つうぞく)小説(しょうせつ)は広(ひろ)い読者層(どくしゃそう)に支持(しじ)されている。
Popular novels are supported by a wide readership.
専門的(せんもんてき)な内容(ないよう)を通俗(つうぞく)的(てき)にわかりやすく説明(せつめい)するのは難(むずか)しい。
It is difficult to explain specialized content in an accessible, easy-to-understand way.

Describes something aimed at the general public rather than experts or the elite. Depending on context, it can be neutral (accessible, easy to understand) or slightly negative (lowbrow, lacking sophistication). Often used as a modifier with 的(てき).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 通俗(つうぞく)的(てき): popular; commonplace (adjectival)
  • 通俗(つうぞく)小説(しょうせつ): popular fiction
  • 通俗(つうぞく)科学(かがく): popular science
  • 通俗(つうぞく)的(てき)な解釈(かいしゃく): a popular (simplified) interpretation

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 大衆(たいしゅう)的(てき): popular / mass-market — focuses on appeal to the masses
  • 俗(ぞく): vulgar / common — more negative; emphasizes crudeness
  • 平易(へいい)な: plain / easy to understand — purely about simplicity, no negative connotation

REGISTER:
Formal and somewhat literary. Used in academic, literary criticism, and media contexts.

general
Added 2026.4.6 19:42
22000/22441_tsuuzoku