普通
futsū[ɸɯ̟t͡sɨː]
In Japanese, "normal" is expressed as 普通 (futsū).
普通 represents "normal" in a general sense and is used to describe something typical or ordinary. It can also be used as an adverb to mean "usually" or "normally" when describing a standard state or habit. Depending on the context, it may sometimes carry a nuance of "average" or "mediocre."
Meaning: usual, ordinary (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use 普通 as an adjective to modify a noun, it takes the particle の to become 普通の.
How do you pronounce it?
futsū
Did you know?
- The word 普通 is also the name of the 'local' train service in Japan, distinguishing it from 'express' trains.
- The word 普通 shares its Chinese characters with the name of the official language of China, 'Putonghua', which literally means 'common speech'.
- The phrase 普通に (futsū ni) is frequently used by young people as an intensifier similar to 'totally' or 'actually', even when the situation is not ordinary.
Examples in context
- これは普通のこと？Is this normal?This sentence is useful for asking if something is normal using 普通.Tatoeba #8693575 by bunbuku, translation #2221210 by Hybrid
- それが普通でしょ？That's normal, isn't it?This sentence is useful for stating that something is normal using 普通.Tatoeba #11574657 by small_snow, translation #10892295 by megamanenm
- これは完全に普通だ。That's totally normal.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that something is totally normal using 普通.Tatoeba #7465289 by Ninja, translation #5772172 by CK
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are discussing their daily schedules.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんの毎日は普通ですか？Hiroto-san no mainichi wa futsuu desu ka?Is your daily life ordinary, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、とても普通な生活ですよ。Hai, totemo futsuu na seikatsu desu yo.Yes, it is a very normal life.
- 美咲 Misakiやっぱりそうですよね。Yappari sou desu yo ne.I thought so.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんはどうですか？Misaki-san wa dou desu ka?How about you, Misaki?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “normal” translations and entries 普通, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
