常 (cháng) - Constant, regular, ordinary & often, frequently

常Tone 2

cháng ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

常 · cháng

Constant, regular, ordinary;

often, frequently;

a unit of length in ancient China;

a surname.

Constant, regular, ordinaryoften, frequentlya unit of length in ancient China

Usage highlights

OftenCommon senseNormal temperatureConstantUsuallyFrequently

Synonyms

  • 恒— Constant, permanent
  • 常时— Often, frequently
  • 平常— Ordinary, common

Antonyms

  • 变— Change, transform
  • 异— Different, unusual
  • 偶— Occasional, accidental

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He often goes to the library (他常去图书馆).
  • This is a common occurrence (这是常事).
  • The temperature remains constant (温度保持恒定).
  • She has an ordinary job (她有份平常的工作).

Collocations

  • Often(常常)
  • Common sense(常识)
  • Normal temperature(常温)
  • Constant(常数)
  • Usually(通常)
  • Frequently(经常)

Idioms

  • Commonplace(习以为常)
  • Breaking from convention(反常)
  • Eternal law(天经地义)
  • Unchanging(万古不变)
  • Ordinary people(常人)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, '常' represents enduring principles and moral constants.
  • Used in Buddhism to refer to permanence, contrasted with impermanence (无常).
  • As a surname, it dates back to the Zhou Dynasty and is relatively common in China.

FAQ