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How to say “usually” and “ordinary” in Chinese: 平时 vs 平常

平时 (píngshí): ordinary times / 平常 (píngcháng): usually, ordinary

平时 (píng shí) vs 平常 (píng cháng) — usually vs ordinary

HSK 5Time Words

Rule structure

平时 (píng shí) (píngshí) means "in normal times, usually" (opposite of special days). 平常 (píng cháng) (píngcháng) can be an adjective meaning "ordinary" or an adverb meaning "usually".

Examples

平时我七点起床。 / 他穿着很平常。

Píngshí wǒ qī diǎn qǐchuáng. / Tā chuānzhuó hěn píngcháng.

Usually I get up at seven. / He dresses very ordinarily.

Practice

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say “usually vs ordinary” in Chinese with 平时 vs 平常?

Use the structure: 平时 (píngshí): ordinary times / 平常 (píngcháng): usually, ordinary. For example: 平时我七点起床。 / 他穿着很平常。 — “Usually I get up at seven. / He dresses very ordinarily.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

平时我七点起床。 / 他穿着很平常。 — “Usually I get up at seven. / He dresses very ordinarily.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.

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More HSK 5 grammar rules

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万一 — what if

万一 (wànyī) + (Undesirable) Condition + 怎么办 (zěnme bàn)？

就是 — even if…

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还…呢 — still in progress

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有关的 — related to…

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要不 — how about…?

要不 (yàobù) + Suggestion / Option