一般 yībān general
general; ordinary; common; same
How to remember 一般: 一 one + 般 sort = general.
Characters
How it is used
- "Generally / ordinary" - 一般来说 (yībān lái shuō) generally speaking; 一般情况下 (yībān qíngkuàng xià) under normal circumstances.
- Also "so-so, just average" as a mild verdict - 味道一般 (wèidào yībān) the taste is nothing special. Here it's politely underwhelming, not neutral.
- As "like / just as" it forms similes: 像雪一般白 (xiàng xuě yībān bái) white as snow (more literary).
Example sentences
- 我一般六点起床。 Wǒ yìbān liùdiǎn qǐchuáng.I usually get up at six.
- 这道菜的味道很一般。 Zhè dào cài de wèidao hěn yìbān.The taste of this dish is very ordinary.
- 一般来说，东北菜比较咸。 Yībānláishuō, Dōngběi cài bǐjiào xián.Generally speaking, Dongbei cuisine is rather salty.