普通

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. 普通の人です。▶ —
   An ordinary person.
2. 普通電車に乗る。▶ —
   I take the local train.

Collocations

Mnemonic

Futsuu (普通) is the na-adjective and noun for "ordinary / normal / regular." The kanji 普 (universal) plus 通 (to pass through) reads "passes through everywhere — common." Paired with tokubetsu (special). Patterns: (1) na-adjective with の — "futsuu no hito" (an ordinary person); "futsuu na" is ungrammatical, while "futsuu no" is canonical, an outlier within the na-adjective family covered in hen; (2) noun alone — futsuu meaning "normal"; (3) adverbial futsuu ni (as usual). Japan-specific cluster: futsuu densha (local train stopping at every station, opposite tokkyuu express) is core rail vocabulary; futsuu yokin (regular savings account) opposes teiki yokin (fixed-term deposit) in bank vocabulary. Cultural code: futsuu no katei (an ordinary household) is idealized — Japan often privileges futsuu over kosei (individuality), and koseiteki (highly individual) reads two-edged, praising uniqueness or criticizing disharmony. Korean botong and Chinese putong share the kanji. JLPT N5 futsuu integrates with the no-modifier irregularity and the cultural code.

Quick check

1. Japanese rail futsuu densha vs tokkyuu split?

   • Futsuu stops at every station; tokkyuu stops only at major stations
   • Futsuu within Tokyo; tokkyuu regional
   • Futsuu daytime; tokkyuu night
   • Futsuu free; tokkyuu paid