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-====== píngfán: 平凡 - Ordinary, Common, Mundane ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** 平凡, pingfan, pingfan meaning, what does pingfan mean, Chinese for ordinary, Chinese for mundane, an ordinary life in Chinese, 平凡 vs 普通, 平凡之路, The Ordinary Road, unremarkable in Chinese, common vs ordinary in Chinese.
-  * **Summary:** Discover the profound meaning of **平凡 (píngfán)**, a fundamental Chinese adjective for "ordinary," "common," or "mundane." This guide delves into more than just the translation, exploring the deep cultural appreciation for an ordinary life in China, a concept celebrated in famous songs like **平凡之路 (Píngfán Zhī Lù)**. Understand the subtle but important difference between **平凡 (píngfán)** and the similar word **普通 (pǔtōng)**, and learn to use it correctly to describe people, lives, and the quiet beauty of the unremarkable.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** píngfán
-  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
-  * **Concise Definition:** Describing something or someone as ordinary, common, or lacking any special or outstanding features.
-  * **In a Nutshell:** `平凡` goes beyond simply being "average." It captures a neutral, and often slightly philosophical, feeling of being simple, grounded, and unremarkable in a peaceful way. It's the opposite of being a hero, a celebrity, or a dramatic protagonist. `平凡` represents the quiet dignity and contentment found in a normal, everyday existence.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **平 (píng):** The original character is a pictogram of duckweed floating evenly on water. Its core meaning is "flat," "level," "even," or "peaceful." It implies a state of stability without dramatic highs or lows.
-  * **凡 (fán):** This character originally depicted a small, square tray or plate. It came to mean "all" or "every," and by extension, "earthly," "worldly," or "mortal"—everything that is common to the human realm, as opposed to the divine or exceptional.
-  * **Combined Meaning:** The characters combine to paint a picture of the "level and worldly." Something that is `平凡` exists on the common plane of existence, without extraordinary peaks. It is this "even-ness" and "common-ness" that creates the word's meaning of "ordinary" or "mundane."
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-  * **The Virtue of the Ordinary:** In stark contrast to the Western, particularly American, emphasis on "standing out," "being exceptional," and "making your mark," traditional Chinese culture often extols the virtues of a simple, ordinary life. Philosophies like Daoism and Buddhism teach that true contentment comes from letting go of ambition and desire, and finding peace in the natural flow of life. To choose a `平凡` life is not seen as a failure, but as a wise and peaceful path, free from the stress and anxiety of chasing fame and fortune. It's connected to the popular idiom [[知足常乐]] (zhī zú cháng lè) - "he who is content is always happy."
-  * **Modern Resonance - The "Ordinary Road":** This concept has a powerful modern resonance. The song **《平凡之路》(Píngfán Zhī Lù - "The Ordinary Road")** by Pu Shu became a massive hit, resonating deeply with a generation of young Chinese people feeling the immense pressure of modern competition. The lyrics speak of abandoning the grand, exhausting quest for greatness and realizing that "the ordinary is the only answer." It captures a collective yearning for a simpler, more authentic existence.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-  * **Connotation:** The connotation of `平凡` is highly context-dependent.
-    * **Neutral/Positive:** When describing a lifestyle choice or a person's character, it is often neutral or positive. Expressing a desire for a `平凡` life is seen as humble and wise.
-    * **Slightly Negative:** When describing a piece of work, a performance, or a result, it can be a polite way to say it was "uninspired," "unremarkable," or "mediocre." For example, `他的设计很平凡` (His design is very ordinary).
-  * **In Conversation:** People often use `平凡` in self-deprecation to appear humble. For example, `我只是一个平凡的人` ("I'm just an ordinary person"). It's also used to describe the quiet beauty in everyday things, like a `平凡的一天` (an ordinary day).
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-    * 他只是一个**平凡**的上班族。
-    * Pinyin: Tā zhǐshì yīgè **píngfán** de shàngbānzú.
-    * English: He is just an ordinary office worker.
-    * Analysis: Here, `平凡` is used in a neutral, descriptive way to state someone's common profession without judgment.
-  * **Example 2:**
-    * 我只想过一种安稳**平凡**的生活。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐ xiǎngguò yī zhǒng ānwěn **píngfán** de shēnghuó.
-    * English: I just want to live a stable and ordinary life.
-    * Analysis: This expresses a common life goal in modern China. `平凡` here has a positive connotation, implying peace and freedom from stress.
-  * **Example 3:**
-    * 这部电影讲述了一个**平凡**女孩成为明星的故事。
-    * Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng jiǎngshùle yīgè **píngfán** nǚhái chéngwéi míngxīng de gùshì.
-    * English: This movie tells the story of an ordinary girl who becomes a star.
-    * Analysis: `平凡` is used to set up a "rags-to-riches" narrative, contrasting the character's humble beginnings with her later success.
-  * **Example 4:**
-    * 真正的伟大出自**平凡**。
-    * Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de wěidà chūzì **píngfán**.
-    * English: True greatness comes from the ordinary.
-    * Analysis: This is a philosophical statement highlighting that extraordinary achievements are built upon simple, everyday efforts. `平凡` is the foundation of `伟大` (greatness).
-  * **Example 5:**
-    * 他的回答相当**平凡**，没有什么特别的见解。
-    * Pinyin: Tā de huídá xiāngdāng **píngfán**, méiyǒu shé me tèbié de jiànjiě.
-    * English: His answer was quite mundane, without any special insight.
-    * Analysis: In this context, `平凡` carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, meaning "uninspired" or "lacking depth."
-  * **Example 6:**
-    * 她相貌**平凡**，但内心非常善良。
-    * Pinyin: Tā xiàngmào **píngfán**, dàn nèixīn fēicháng shànliáng.
-    * English: Her appearance is plain, but she is very kind-hearted.
-    * Analysis: `平凡` is a neutral term for physical appearance, synonymous with "plain" or "not conventionally beautiful." It is often used to contrast with inner qualities.
-  * **Example 7:**
-    * 在这**平凡**的世界里，我们都在努力地生活。
-    * Pinyin: Zài zhè **píngfán** de shìjiè lǐ, wǒmen dōu zài nǔlì de shēnghuó.
-    * English: In this ordinary world, we are all striving to live.
-    * Analysis: This usage is reflective and a bit poetic, acknowledging the shared human condition within the "ordinary world."
-  * **Example 8:**
-    * 英雄最终也渴望回归**平凡**。
-    * Pinyin: Yīngxióng zuìzhōng yě kěwàng huíguī **píngfán**.
-    * English: In the end, even heroes long to return to an ordinary life.
-    * Analysis: This sentence highlights the desirability of `平凡` as a state of peace and normalcy, contrasted with the burdens of being a hero.
-  * **Example 9:**
-    * 不要看不起任何**平凡**的岗位，每个岗位都有它的价值。
-    * Pinyin: Bùyào kànbùqǐ rènhé **píngfán** de gǎngwèi, měi gè gǎngwèi dōu yǒu tā de jiàzhí.
-    * English: Don't look down on any ordinary job; every position has its value.
-    * Analysis: A sentence that champions the dignity of common labor, using `平凡` to mean "common" or "not high-status."
-  * **Example 10:** (From the song 《平凡之路》)
-    * 我曾经跨过山和大海，也穿过人山人海，我曾经问遍整个世界，从来没得到答案，我不过是**平凡**的。
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ céngjīng kuàguò shān hé dàhǎi, yě chuānguò rénshānrénhǎi, wǒ céngjīng wèn biàn zhěnggè shìjiè, cónglái méi dédào dá'àn, wǒ bùguò shì **píngfán** de.
-    * English: I've crossed mountains and seas, and passed through crowds of people, I've asked the whole world and never got an answer, I am just... ordinary.
-    * Analysis: This iconic lyric captures the essence of a long journey leading to the acceptance of one's own ordinary nature. It's a powerful and emotional use of the word.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-  * **`平凡 (píngfán)` vs. `普通 (pǔtōng)`: The Crucial Difference**
-    * This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
-    * `[[普通]] (pǔtōng)` means "common," "general," or "standard." It is an objective, almost statistical term. It describes what is typical or widespread.
-    * `平凡 (píngfán)` means "ordinary," "unremarkable," or "mundane." It is more subjective and often carries a philosophical or emotional weight. It describes a lack of special features.
-    * **Rule of Thumb:** If you can replace the word with "common" or "standard," use `普通`. If you mean "unremarkable" or are talking about the quality of life, use `平凡`.
-    * **Correct:** `普通话` (Pǔtōnghuà - the common language), not `平凡话`.
-    * **Correct:** `一个普通的问题` (a common problem), not `一个平凡的问题`.
-    * **Correct:** `一个平凡的人生` (an ordinary life), but `一个普通的人生` is also okay, though it sounds more statistical and less emotional.
-  * **False Friend: "Mundane"**
-    * While `平凡` is often translated as "mundane," be careful. In English, "mundane" has a strong negative connotation of being dull and boring. `平凡` can be completely neutral or even positive, expressing a desirable state of peace. A "mundane life" sounds depressing, whereas a `平凡的生活` can be a beautiful goal.
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  * `[[普通]] (pǔtōng)` - "Common" or "general." The most frequent point of comparison. It is more objective and statistical than `平凡`.
-  * `[[非凡]] (fēifán)` - "Extraordinary," "remarkable." The direct antonym of `平凡`, formed by adding the negative prefix `非` (fēi-).
-  * `[[伟大]] (wěidà)` - "Great," "mighty." Another key antonym. While a person can be `非凡` (extraordinary) in skill, `伟大` often implies great moral character or historical impact.
-  * `[[平淡]] (píngdàn)` - "Dull," "insipid," "flat." This is more negative than `平凡`. A `平淡` life is one that is boring and lacks flavor, whereas a `平凡` life is simply unremarkable.
-  * `[[庸俗]] (yōngsú)` - "Vulgar," "philistine." A strongly negative term for someone with unrefined, low-brow tastes. A person can be `平凡` without being `庸俗`.
-  * `[[默默无闻]] (mòmòwúwén)` - An idiom meaning "to be obscure" or "unknown to the public." This describes the state of many `平凡` people.
-  * `[[知足常乐]] (zhī zú cháng lè)` - An idiom meaning "contentment brings constant happiness." This is the philosophical attitude that allows one to find joy in a `平凡` life.