通常
tsūjō[t͡sɨːʑo̞ː]
The English phrase "generally" can be translated into Japanese as 通常 (tsūjō). If unsure, use 通常. Wiktionary also lists 一般に (ippan ni) and たいてい (taitei).
Meaning: as a rule, usually (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 通常 | tsūjō | [t͡sɨːʑo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 一般に | ippan ni | |
| たいてい | taitei | [ta̠ite̞ː] (narrow) |
Japanese has several ways to express 'generally' or 'as a rule' depending on whether you are describing a widespread belief, a standard condition or a common occurrence. 通常 is used to describe what happens under normal or standard conditions. 一般に is used when making a general statement about a group or a widely held belief.
What does it mean word for word?
In the form 一般に, the word functions as an adverb by adding the particle に to the noun 一般.
Which one should you use?
通常 is used to describe what happens under normal or standard circumstances, often in formal or technical contexts. In contrast, 一般に is used for making broad, general statements about a group or a general truth.
How do you pronounce it?
tsūjō
Did you know?
- Japanese often omits 'generally' entirely by using the particle は to create a general contrast, making the explicit word optional.
- The kanji 通 in 通常 carries the meaning of 'passing through' or 'circulating', suggesting a flow of normal events.
- The word 一般 can be used as a noun to mean 'the general public', meaning a 'general' person is often just called 一般の人.
Examples in context
- 一般に男子は女子よりも足が速い。Generally speaking, boys can run faster than girls.This sentence is useful for showing a general comparison between boys and girls using 一般に.Tatoeba #2239667 by tommy_san, translation #21820 by CK
- 一般に男性は女性よりも足が速い。Generally speaking, men can run faster than women can.This sentence is useful for showing a general comparison between men and women using 一般に.Tatoeba #2239668 by tommy_san, translation #27333 by CK
- その理論は一般に認められていない。That theory isn't generally accepted.This sentence is useful for showing how a theory is not generally accepted using 一般に.Tatoeba #206246 by bunbuku, translation #585472 by CK
- 一般的に、日本人は礼儀正しいです。Generally, Japanese people are polite.
- 概して、日本の若者はテクノロジーに詳しいです。On the whole, Japanese youth are knowledgeable about technology.
- この地域の天気はだいたい曇りです。Generally, the weather in this area is cloudy.
- 普通に考えたら、そんなことはしないでしょう。Generally speaking, you wouldn't do such a thing.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing their work schedules.
- 健太 Kenta通常、仕事は何時に終わりますか？Tsūjō, shigoto wa nan-ji ni owarimasu ka?Generally, what time do you finish work?
- 結衣 Yuiたいてい６時ごろに終わります。Taitei roku-ji goro ni owarimasu.I usually finish around 6 o'clock.
- 健太 Kentaそうなんですね。結衣さんは忙しいですね。Sō nan desu ne. Yui-san wa isogashii desu ne.I see. You are busy, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、でも金曜日は早めに帰ります。Hai, demo kin'yōbi wa hayame ni kaerimasu.Yes, but I go home early on Fridays.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “generally” translations and entries 通常, たいてい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
