How to use 平时；平常
Subject + 平时 / 平常 + predicate; 很平常; 平常的 + noun
平时 and 平常 can describe what is usual outside a special occasion or exceptional situation. They introduce the ordinary background against which a habit or action is understood. In many statements about everyday behavior, either word works naturally. They are not simply frequency counters: the idea of normal circumstances can matter as much as how often the action occurs.
平常 also functions as an adjective meaning ordinary or commonplace. It can appear as a predicate with a degree word or modify a noun with 的. 平时 does not freely take those adjective roles. Check whether the sentence describes when someone usually does something or evaluates a thing as unremarkable before choosing between them.
Examples with pinyin and English
你平常会健身吗？
Do you often work out?
你平时看新闻吗？
Do you usually watch the news?
清洁工的工作很平常，但是也很重要。
The work of sanitary workers is very ordinary, but it is also very important.
这种事很平常。
This kind of thing is very common.
What to remember
- Use either word for many statements of usual behavior.
- Use 平常 for the adjective ordinary.
- Distinguish normal circumstances from a numerical frequency.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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