通用
tōngyòng
In Mandarin, 'generic' is translated as 通用 (tōngyòng).
The term 通用 is a formal way to say 'generic' and refers to something applicable or suitable for multiple purposes.
Meaning: not having a brand name (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 通 (tōng), meaning 'to pass through' or 'common' and 用 (yòng), meaning 'to use'.
Which one should you use?
If you want to specifically emphasize that a product lacks a brand name (rather than saying it is 'universal'), use 无品牌 (wú pǐnpái). Additionally, the phrase 一般般 (yībān bān) is used colloquially to convey a sense of mediocrity or averageness.
How do you pronounce it?
tōngyòng
Did you know?
- In the context of medicine, the 'generic' version of a drug is often referred to as 仿制药 (fǎngzhì yào), which literally translates to 'imitation medicine'.
- While 通用 means 'universal' or 'generic', the word 通 also describes a feeling of being 'unblocked' or 'open', such as when a cold's congestion clears and your nose becomes 通.
- While 通用 means 'generic' in a functional sense, calling a person or their work 通用 would likely confuse them, as it sounds like you are describing a piece of hardware or a standardized protocol.
Examples in context
- 这是一种通用产品This is a generic product.
- 我需要一本普通的字典I need a generic dictionary.
- 请给我一个一般的答案Please give me a generic answer.
- 这是一个很平常的问题This is a generic question.
- 这种通用型号的零件很便宜。Zhè zhǒng tōngyòng xínghào de língjiàn hěn piányi.This generic model part is very cheap.
- 我们需要购买通用电源线。Wǒmen xūyào gòumǎi tōngyòng diànyuán xiàn.We need to buy a generic power cable.
- 这个软件使用的是通用协议。Zhège ruǎnjiàn shǐyòng de shì tōngyòng xiéyì.This software uses a generic protocol.
Example conversation
Wei and Xinyi are shopping for electronics in a store.
- 伟 Wei你要买这个牌子的吗？Nǐ yào mǎi zhège páizi de ma?Do you want to buy this brand?
- 欣怡 Xinyi不用，买个通用的就行。Bùyòng, mǎi gè tōngyòng de jiù xíng.No need, a generic one will do.
- 伟 Wei那这款通用款的价格是多少？Nà zhè kuǎn tōngyòng kuǎn de jiàgé shì duōshǎo?Then how much is this generic version?
- 欣怡 Xinyi只要五十块钱。Zhǐyào wǔshí kuài qián.It's only fifty yuan.
