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一般
yī bān
What does "一般" mean in English?
ordinary这家餐厅的菜一般。
The food at this restaurant is ordinary.
How to use "一般" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
neutral
ordinary; common; average; so-so
他的英语一般。
His English is average.
这部电影很一般。
This movie is so-so.
Used to describe something that is not exceptional but not bad either.
formal
same; alike; the same as
我们的想法一般。
Our ideas are the same.
Common in written Chinese, less so in speech.
neutral
in general; generally; usually
一般情况下，他六点起床。
Generally, he gets up at six.
Often used at the beginning of a sentence.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: Using '一般' to describe people
Avoid saying '他很一般' to mean 'He is average' in casual conversation, as it can sound dismissive. Instead, use '他很普通' or '他很平常' to sound more neutral.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
'一般' is usually placed before the noun it describes (e.g., '一般的工作' = 'ordinary job') or at the beginning of a sentence to mean 'in general' (e.g., '一般，我们六点下班').
Word Origin
The character '一' means 'one' and '般' means 'kind' or 'sort'. Together, they imply 'of one kind' or 'uniform', evolving to mean 'ordinary' or 'common'.
Usage Notes
In modern Chinese, '一般' is often used to express mediocrity or average quality. It can also mean 'the same as' in formal contexts. Avoid using it to describe people's abilities in a negative way in polite conversation.
Word Breakdown
一
one
root般
kind; sort
root汉英词典