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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'generally' with 一般 (yìbān)

    Degree & Intensity
    Frequency & Habit

    Structure

    一般 + 而言 / 一般 + Verb

    Explanation

    一般 (yìbān) means "generally," "usually," or "ordinarily" when used as an adverb or adjective. The phrase 一般而言 is a formal expression meaning "generally speaking." For example, 一般而言，患者会在几周内康复 means "Generally speaking, patients recover within a few weeks."

    Examples

    • 一般来说，坐地铁比开车快。

      yībān lái shuō, zuò dìtiě bǐ kāichē kuài.

      Generally speaking, taking the subway is faster than driving.

    • 她一般早上七点起床。

      tā yībān zǎoshang qī diǎn qǐchuáng.

      She usually gets up at seven in the morning.

    • 这种水果一般在夏天才有。

      zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ yībān zài xiàtiān cái yǒu.

      This kind of fruit is generally only available in summer.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing 'generally' with 一般 (yìbān) | Chinese Grammar