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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'usually' or 'normally' with 通常 (tōngcháng)

    Frequency & Habit

    Structure

    Subject + 通常 + Verb/Adjective

    Explanation

    通常 (tōngcháng) is an adverb meaning 'usually,' 'normally,' or 'in general.' It describes habitual actions or typical situations and is placed before the verb or adjective it modifies. It is suitable for both spoken and written Chinese.

    Examples

    • 他通常早上七点起床去跑步。

      Tā tōngcháng zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng qù pǎobù.

      He usually gets up at seven in the morning to go jogging.

    • 这家餐厅通常周末人比较多。

      Zhè jiā cāntīng tōngcháng zhōumò rén bǐjiào duō.

      This restaurant usually has more people on weekends.

    • 我通常坐地铁上班,今天开车是因为下雨了。

      Wǒ tōngcháng zuò dìtiě shàngbān, jīntiān kāichē shì yīnwèi xià yǔ le.

      I usually take the subway to work; I drove today because it was raining.

    Expressing 'usually' or 'normally' with 通常 (tōngcháng) | Chinese Grammar