About
The character "普" originates from an early composition that combined the element representing the sun ("日") with a component suggesting duplication or side-by-side placement, which in its traditional form is "並". This structure etymologically conveyed the idea of sunlight reaching everywhere without obstruction, thus giving rise to its core meaning of "universal" or "widespread". Over time, the meaning expanded from describing physical omnipresence, like sunlight, to encompass more abstract and generalized concepts, such as "common" or "general", as seen in terms for the common people or general knowledge. While its graphical form has stabilized, the semantic range of the character has broadened from a literal, spatial sense to one denoting comprehensiveness and lack of specificity in both description and application.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这是一个普通的日子。
他说普通话很流利。
互联网已经普及全球。
政府正在进行人口普查。
虽然看起来很普通，但味道很好。
爱是一种普世的情感。
普及教育对发展至关重要。
通过普及普通话，促进了普通民众的交流。