B2 Expression フォーマル 2分で読める

众所周知...

As everyone knows...

直訳: 众 (Crowd/Public) 所 (That which) 周 (Universally) 知 (Known)

Use it to introduce a widely accepted truth and sound instantly more professional and persuasive.

15秒でわかる

  • A formal way to say 'as everyone knows.'
  • Used to introduce widely accepted facts or common sense.
  • Usually starts the sentence followed by a comma.

意味

This phrase is used to introduce a fact that is widely recognized or accepted by everyone. It is the perfect way to start a sentence when you want to establish common ground before making a point.

主な例文

3 / 6
1

In a business meeting

众所周知,这个市场的竞争非常激烈。

As everyone knows, competition in this market is very fierce.

💼
2

Explaining food culture to a friend

众所周知,四川人非常喜欢吃辣。

As everyone knows, Sichuan people love eating spicy food.

🤝
3

A humorous observation about a friend's habit

众所周知,你是我们当中最懒的一个。

As everyone knows, you are the laziest one among us.

😄
🌍

文化的背景

This idiom is a 'chengyu,' a type of traditional four-character formula. It emphasizes the importance of shared social reality and consensus in Chinese communication. It is frequently used in Chinese media and diplomacy to signal that a statement is a matter of public record.

💡

The Comma Rule

Always put a comma after `众所周知` when it starts a sentence. It gives your audience a second to prepare for the 'obvious' fact you're about to drop.

⚠️

Don't Overdo It

If you use this phrase for things that aren't actually well-known, you might come across as arrogant or condescending. Use it for actual consensus!

15秒でわかる

  • A formal way to say 'as everyone knows.'
  • Used to introduce widely accepted facts or common sense.
  • Usually starts the sentence followed by a comma.

What It Means

众所周知 is a classic four-character idiom (chengyu). It literally means 'known by the masses.' Think of it as the 'as we all know' of the Chinese language. It frames your statement as an undeniable truth. It suggests that if you didn't know this, you might be living under a rock.

How To Use It

You usually place it at the very beginning of a sentence. It is often followed by a comma. For example: 众所周知, + [The Obvious Fact]. It acts as a logical bridge. It helps you transition into your main argument smoothly. You can use it to state scientific facts or social norms. It makes you sound authoritative and well-spoken.

When To Use It

Use it when you want to sound professional or persuasive. It is great for business presentations or academic writing. You can also use it in serious discussions with friends. It works well when explaining a cultural habit to someone. If you are debating where to eat, you might say, 'As everyone knows, this place has the best spicy tofu.' It adds a bit of weight to your opinion.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using it for things that are actually secrets. Don't use it if the information is brand new to the listener. It can sound patronizing if used for very niche personal facts. For example, don't say 'As everyone knows, I had toast for breakfast.' Unless you are a world-famous celebrity, nobody knows that! It can also feel a bit too stiff for a very casual, late-night text session with your bestie.

Cultural Background

This phrase reflects the Chinese value of collective knowledge. In Chinese culture, citing a 'common truth' is a powerful rhetorical tool. It shows you are in tune with the community. It originates from classical literature but has remained a staple in modern speech. It is one of the first idioms students learn because it is so practical. It bridges the gap between formal 'book' Chinese and daily life.

Common Variations

You might hear 大家知道 in very casual speech. That just means 'everyone knows.' Another variation is 家喻户晓, which means 'known to every household.' However, 众所周知 remains the gold standard for versatility. It hits that sweet spot between being 'fancy' and being 'useful.' Use it, and you will instantly sound like you have a higher HSK level than you actually do.

使い方のコツ

While it is a formal idiom, it is very common in daily life. It is most effective when used to introduce a premise that no one can argue with, helping you build a stronger case for your subsequent points.

💡

The Comma Rule

Always put a comma after `众所周知` when it starts a sentence. It gives your audience a second to prepare for the 'obvious' fact you're about to drop.

⚠️

Don't Overdo It

If you use this phrase for things that aren't actually well-known, you might come across as arrogant or condescending. Use it for actual consensus!

💬

The Power of Four

Using four-character idioms like this one makes you sound more educated in China. It's a quick shortcut to gaining 'language face' (mianzi).

例文

6
#1 In a business meeting
💼

众所周知,这个市场的竞争非常激烈。

As everyone knows, competition in this market is very fierce.

Sets a professional tone for a strategic discussion.

#2 Explaining food culture to a friend
🤝

众所周知,四川人非常喜欢吃辣。

As everyone knows, Sichuan people love eating spicy food.

Used here to state a well-known cultural fact.

#3 A humorous observation about a friend's habit
😄

众所周知,你是我们当中最懒的一个。

As everyone knows, you are the laziest one among us.

Using a formal phrase for a silly fact creates a funny contrast.

#4 Writing a formal essay or report
👔

众所周知,水是生命之源。

As is well known, water is the source of life.

A classic way to start an academic or environmental paper.

#5 Texting a group about a famous celebrity
😊

众所周知,他是个非常有才华的歌手。

As everyone knows, he is a very talented singer.

Validates a popular opinion in a group chat.

#6 Expressing a deep truth in a speech
💭

众所周知,母爱是世界上最伟大的力量。

As everyone knows, a mother's love is the greatest force in the world.

Adds emotional weight and universal appeal to the statement.

自分をテスト

Choose the best phrase to complete the sentence about a famous landmark.

___,长城是中国的象征。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 众所周知

Since the Great Wall being a symbol of China is a globally recognized fact, '众所周知' is the most appropriate opening.

Which phrase fits best in a professional presentation about health?

___,熬夜对身体不好。

✓ 正解! ✗ おしい! 正解: 众所周知

The harmful effects of staying up late are common knowledge, making '众所周知' perfect for a formal warning.

🎉 スコア: /2

ビジュアル学習ツール

Formality Spectrum of 'Everyone Knows'

Casual

Used with close friends.

大家都知道...

Neutral

Standard daily communication.

谁都知道...

Formal

Professional or written context.

众所周知...

Very Formal

Literary or high-level speeches.

举世闻名 / 家喻户晓

Where to use 众所周知

众所周知
💼

Business Pitch

Stating market trends

🏫

Classroom

Stating scientific laws

🚩

Tour Guide

Sharing history

🗣️

Debate

Establishing a premise

よくある質問

10 問

It is slightly formal, but you can use it jokingly with friends to state something very obvious, like 众所周知,你爱迟到 (As everyone knows, you love being late).

It almost always appears at the beginning. It functions as an introductory clause to set the stage for the rest of the sentence.

大家都知道 is the plain, spoken version. 众所周知 is the more polished, 'written-style' version that works in both speech and text.

No, it is generally neutral. However, if you use it to state a controversial opinion as a fact, it might annoy people.

Definitely not! The word means 'the masses,' so using it for a secret would be a contradiction.

Yes, it is extremely common in news and documentaries to introduce background information or established facts.

It is pronounced 'zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī.' Pay attention to the falling tone on the first word!

Not really. As a 'chengyu,' its power lies in its specific four-character structure.

Yes, it is very appropriate for academic writing to cite general knowledge before diving into your specific research.

Then you should avoid 众所周知. Instead, use 如你所知 (As you know) if speaking to one person.

関連フレーズ

家喻户晓

Known to every household/widely known.

显而易见

Obvious/evident.

不言而喻

It goes without saying.

大家都知道

Everyone knows (casual).

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