Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
常见 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
常见chángjiàncommonly seenHSK 3, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6321, Medium
常见chángjiàncommonHSK 3, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6321, Medium
常见chángjiànto see sth frequentlyHSK 3, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #6321, Medium
chángjiàn(chang2jian4) T2
  1. 1commonly seen
  2. 2common
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

常见(常見)chángjiàn(chang2jian4)

常见 (chángjiàn) refers to something that is commonly seen or frequently encountered. It is often used to describe objects, situations, or phenomena that are typical in daily life, making it a useful adjective in various contexts.

Strokes15Frequency#6321DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 常见 can relate to social norms and behaviors that are widely accepted or practiced, reflecting the collective nature of society. For example, certain food items or customs are常见 during festivals.

Memory Tip

Think of 常 (cháng) as a long 'charm' that you see regularly, and 见 (jiàn) as 'seeing.' Imagine a charm that you see everywhere in your daily surroundings, reminding you that it is common.

Meanings of 常见

chángjiàn(chang2jian4)
1commonly seen
2common
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 常见

常见Simplified
常見Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2YCTL3HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 常见

JasonAmy

Podcast: 常见

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 常见

Quick Contrast

常见 (chángjiàn) vs 普遍 (pǔbiàn) — use 常见 for specific instances that are commonly seen, while 普遍 emphasizes general prevalence across a wider scope.

Usage Notes

常见 is usually used in informal contexts but can also appear in academic or formal writing when discussing common occurrences. Be careful not to confuse it with rare or unique items; for example, saying '这件事是常见的' (This matter is common) is correct, while '这件事是常见的' (This matter is rare) is incorrect.

HSK Study Tips

This word is relevant at HSK Level 4 and can be connected to other words like 见 (see) and 常 (often). Focus on using it in context, such as describing common items or situations in conversation.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 常见 with uncommon terms; for example, saying '这本书是常见的' (This book is uncommon) is incorrect. Always ensure it describes something that is widely recognized or encountered.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 常见

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 常见 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

常chángalways
HSK 311 strokes巾
View full entry
见jiànto see
HSK 14 strokes见
View full entry

How to say commonly seen in Chinese

“commonly seen” in Chinese is常见chángjiàn

常见 (chángjiàn) refers to something that is commonly seen or frequently encountered. It is often used to describe objects, situations, or phenomena that are typical in daily life, making it a useful adjective in various contexts.

When to use 常见

常见 is usually used in informal contexts but can also appear in academic or formal writing when discussing common occurrences. Be careful not to confuse it with rare or unique items; for example, saying '这件事是常见的' (This matter is common) is correct, while '这件事是常见的' (This matter is rare) is incorrect.

常见 or something close to it

常见 (chángjiàn) vs 普遍 (pǔbiàn) — use 常见 for specific instances that are commonly seen, while 普遍 emphasizes general prevalence across a wider scope.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 常见 with uncommon terms; for example, saying '这本书是常见的' (This book is uncommon) is incorrect. Always ensure it describes something that is widely recognized or encountered.

Write 常见

常
见

Practice writing 常见 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Frequently Asked Questions about 常见

You can say '这种花在春天很常见' (This type of flower is common in spring).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 常见?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.