一般

You can use it as an adjective or an adverb. Most commonly, you'll see it after 很 (very) or 比较 (relatively). If you want to say something is 'just so-so,' you say 一般般. Doubling the character makes it sound a bit more casual and cute. It's very flexible.

Use it when you're being honest but polite. At a restaurant, if the food is forgettable, tell your friend it's 一般. In a meeting, if a proposal is standard, it’s 一般. It’s perfect for managing expectations. It also works for frequency, meaning 'usually' or 'generally.' For example, "I generally go to bed at ten."

Don't use it to describe your boss's hard work. That’s a one-way ticket to a cold shoulder. Avoid it when someone is looking for a compliment. If your partner asks how they look in a new outfit, saying 一般 is a dangerous game. In those cases, 'average' feels like a critique.

Chinese culture often values the 'Middle Way' (中庸). However, in modern social settings, 一般 is often a polite way to say you're unimpressed. It’s a 'face-saving' word. Instead of saying "This tea is terrible," you say "It's 一般." It keeps the peace while signaling your true feelings.

You'll hear 一般来说 which means 'generally speaking.' There's also 非同一般, which means 'extraordinary' or 'not common.' If you want to sound extra chill, stick with 一般般. It’s the favorite phrase of teenagers and relaxed office workers everywhere.