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March 24, 2026
反常fǎncháng(fan3chang2)
反常 (fǎncháng) refers to something that is unusual or abnormal, deviating from what is expected or typical. This term is often used in contexts such as behavior, weather patterns, or any situation where something does not conform to the norm.
Strokes15Frequency#7626DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, noticing and addressing 反常 behaviors can be significant in family and social dynamics, as it might indicate underlying issues that need to be addressed, such as stress or emotional problems.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing out in a crowd for wearing a bright red outfit on a day when everyone else is dressed in dull colors. This striking contrast illustrates the meaning of '反常' (fǎncháng), where '反' (fǎn) suggests 'against' or 'reverse' and '常' (cháng) means 'normal' or 'usual', together signifying 'against normal'.
Meanings of 反常
fǎncháng(fan3chang2)
1unusual
2abnormal
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 反常
反常Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
副形词xíngróngcíadj-adverb (adj.-adv.)Part of Speech
#7626Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 反常
Podcast: 反常
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AI Study Notes for 反常
Quick Contrast
异常 (yìcháng) - use 反常 for deviations from the norm that are surprising or unexpected, while 异常 emphasizes the idea of being out of the ordinary or irregular.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 反常 with similar terms like 异常 (yìcháng), which means 'abnormal'. 反常 is more about unusualness in behavior or occurrences, while 异常 can refer to anomalies in data or systems. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 反常 is often used in more complex sentences and academic discussions. Students should practice using it in various contexts, especially in describing situations or phenomena that are out of the ordinary, to build fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes misuse 反常 in contexts where 异常 would be more appropriate, such as in technical discussions. For example, saying '数据反常' (data is unusual) should be corrected to '数据异常' (data is abnormal).
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Pronunciation of 反常
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反常 (fǎncháng) refers to something that is unusual or abnormal, deviating from what is expected or typical. This term is often used in contexts such as behavior, weather patterns, or any situation where something does not conform to the norm.
When to use 反常
Learners often confuse 反常 with similar terms like 异常 (yìcháng), which means 'abnormal'. 反常 is more about unusualness in behavior or occurrences, while 异常 can refer to anomalies in data or systems. It is generally used in both formal and informal contexts.
反常 or something close to it
异常 (yìcháng) - use 反常 for deviations from the norm that are surprising or unexpected, while 异常 emphasizes the idea of being out of the ordinary or irregular.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes misuse 反常 in contexts where 异常 would be more appropriate, such as in technical discussions. For example, saying '数据反常' (data is unusual) should be corrected to '数据异常' (data is abnormal).
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常
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Grammar Patterns of 反常
反常 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
那架飞机以____的速度起飞升空。
The aircraft rose with unnatural speed on take-off.
Example Sentences for 反常 (18)
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dunusual14
1
那架飞机以反常的速度起飞升空。
nà jià fēi jī yǐ fǎn cháng de sù dù qǐ fēi shēng kōng。
The aircraft rose with unnatural speed on take-off.
2
他一反常态用如此强烈的语气说出那番话，着实让我吃惊。
tā yī fǎn cháng tài yòng rú cǐ qiáng liè de yǔ qì shuō chū nà fān huà， ， zháo shí ràng wǒ chī。
It was so unlike him to say something like that, with such intensity, that I was astonished.
3
她今天的表现非常反常，竟然没有参加她最喜欢的舞蹈课。
Tā jīntiān de biǎoxiàn fēicháng fǎncháng, jìngrán méiyǒu cānjiā tā zuì xǐhuān de wǔdǎo kè.
Her behavior was very unusual today; she didn't even attend her favorite dance class.
4
这只猫今天特别反常，平时它不喜欢和人接触，现在却一直跟在我身后。
Zhè zhī māo jīntiān tèbié fǎncháng, píngshí tā bù xǐhuān hé rén jiēchù, xiànzài què yīzhí gēn zài wǒ shēnhòu.
This cat is particularly unusual today; it usually doesn't like interacting with people, but now it keeps following me.
5
这次会议的气氛反常，大家都很沉默。
Zhè cì huìyì de qìfēn fǎncháng, dàjiā dōu hěn chénmò.
The atmosphere of this meeting was unusual; everyone was very silent.
6
他今天的食欲反常，平时他吃得很多。
Tā jīntiān de shíyù fǎncháng, píngshí tā chī de hěn duō.
His appetite was unusual today; he usually eats a lot.
7
这棵树的叶子在冬天掉落得反常早。
Zhè kē shù de yèzi zài dōngtiān diàoluò de fǎncháng zǎo.
The leaves of this tree fell unusually early in winter.
8
他平时不喝酒，但今天他反常地喝了好几杯。
Tā píngshí bù hējiǔ, dàn jīntiān tā fǎncháng de hē le hǎo jǐ bēi.
He usually doesn't drink, but today he unusually had several glasses.
9
她今天的表现非常反常，竟然没有参加她最喜欢的舞蹈课。
Tā jīntiān de biǎoxiàn fēicháng fǎncháng, jìngrán méiyǒu cānjiā tā zuì xǐhuān de wǔdǎo kè.
Her behavior was very unusual today; she didn't even attend her favorite dance class.
10
这只猫今天特别反常，平时它不喜欢和人接触，现在却一直跟在我身后。
Zhè zhī māo jīntiān tèbié fǎncháng, píngshí tā bù xǐhuān hé rén jiēchù, xiànzài què yīzhí gēn zài wǒ shēnhòu.
This cat is particularly unusual today; it usually doesn't like interacting with people, but now it keeps following me.
11
这次会议的气氛反常，大家都很沉默。
Zhè cì huìyì de qìfēn fǎncháng, dàjiā dōu hěn chénmò.
The atmosphere of this meeting was unusual; everyone was very silent.
12
他今天的食欲反常，平时他吃得很多。
Tā jīntiān de shíyù fǎncháng, píngshí tā chī de hěn duō.
His appetite was unusual today; he usually eats a lot.
13
这棵树的叶子在冬天掉落得反常早。
Zhè kē shù de yèzi zài dōngtiān diàoluò de fǎncháng zǎo.
The leaves of this tree fell unusually early in winter.
14
他平时不喝酒，但今天他反常地喝了好几杯。
Tā píngshí bù hējiǔ, dàn jīntiān tā fǎncháng de hē le hǎo jǐ bēi.
He usually doesn't drink, but today he unusually had several glasses.
dabnormal4
15
最近天气反常，夏天竟然下雪了。
Zuìjìn tiānqì fǎncháng, xiàtiān jìngrán xià xuě le.
The weather has been abnormal recently; it actually snowed in summer.
16
小李今天的行为很反常，他平时从不迟到。
Xiǎo Lǐ jīntiān de xíngwéi hěn fǎncháng, tā píngshí cóng bù chídào.
Xiao Li's behavior today was very abnormal; he is never late.
17
最近天气反常，夏天竟然下雪了。
Zuìjìn tiānqì fǎncháng, xiàtiān jìngrán xià xuě le.
The weather has been abnormal recently; it actually snowed in summer.
18
小李今天的行为很反常，他平时从不迟到。
Xiǎo Lǐ jīntiān de xíngwéi hěn fǎncháng, tā píngshí cóng bù chídào.
Xiao Li's behavior today was very abnormal; he is never late.
Frequently Asked Questions about 反常
You can say, '这个天气反常得很，我们这个季节不应该这么热。' (This weather is very unusual; it shouldn't be this hot for this season.)
Yes, 反常 is appropriate for both spoken and written Chinese, including academic contexts.
Synonyms include 异常 (yìcháng) and 不寻常 (bù xúncháng), but be mindful of their specific usages.
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