Meanings of 庸
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AI Study Notes for 庸
平庸 (píngyōng) vs 庸 (yōng): Use 平庸 for a stronger emphasis on mediocrity or lack of excellence, while 庸 is more about the ordinary or commonplace nature.
When using 庸, be cautious of its negative connotation related to mediocrity. It's not typically used in formal contexts to describe people, as it may imply a lack of ambition or ability. Common collocations include '庸人' (mediocre person) and '庸俗' (vulgar), which convey a sense of ordinary quality in a more critical light.
While 庸 is not in the official HSK vocabulary list, it connects with basic concepts of ordinariness that appear in HSK Level 1 and 2, such as '普通' (pǔtōng), meaning 'common' or 'ordinary'. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in phrases and understanding the nuance of mediocrity.
Learners often confuse 庸 with 普通, using them interchangeably, but this can lead to misunderstandings due to the differing connotations. For example, saying '他是一个庸人' (He is an ordinary person) can sound harsh, while '他是一个普通人' (He is a common person) is more neutral.
Pronunciation of 庸
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Etymology of 庸
Origin
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Decomposition of 庸
Parts
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How to say ordinary in Chinese
“ordinary” in Chinese is庸
The character 庸 (yōng) primarily refers to something that is ordinary, mediocre, or common. It can also imply a sense of utility or practicality, as it is associated with the act of using something in a typical or customary manner. This character is often used in contexts where the lack of distinction or uniqueness is emphasized.
When to use 庸
When using 庸, be cautious of its negative connotation related to mediocrity. It's not typically used in formal contexts to describe people, as it may imply a lack of ambition or ability. Common collocations include '庸人' (mediocre person) and '庸俗' (vulgar), which convey a sense of ordinary quality in a more critical light.
庸 or something close to it
平庸 (píngyōng) vs 庸 (yōng): Use 平庸 for a stronger emphasis on mediocrity or lack of excellence, while 庸 is more about the ordinary or commonplace nature.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 庸 with 普通, using them interchangeably, but this can lead to misunderstandings due to the differing connotations. For example, saying '他是一个庸人' (He is an ordinary person) can sound harsh, while '他是一个普通人' (He is a common person) is more neutral.
Write 庸
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Practice writing 庸 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 庸
庸 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
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你不觉得她有点太附____风雅了吗？
Didn't you find her a little bit too arty?
Example Sentences for 庸 (5)
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Word Family of 庸
Characters with 庸
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Frequently Asked Questions about 庸
While both characters refer to ordinariness, 庸 often carries a negative connotation of mediocrity, whereas 普通 is more neutral and simply means 'common'.
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