Korean word

보통

Pronunciation

Romanizationpotong

Meaning

  • adverbusually

Example

나는 보통 아침에 커피를 마신다.na neun po tong a chi me keo pi reul ma sin da

I usually drink coffee in the morning.

Illustration for 보통 (usually)

More examples

그는 보통 친구들과 술을 마신다.keu neun po tong chin gu deul gwa su reul ma sin da

He usually drinks alcohol with his friends.

Core concept

A familiar, expected way for something to happen in daily life.

Common phrases

  • 보통은po tong eun

    usually

  • 보통대로po tong dae ro

    as usual

  • 보통보다po tong bo da

    than usual

Similar words

자주chaju: Describes something that happens frequently over time.
주로churo: Shows where most attention or activity is centered.
일반적으로ilbanjeogeuro: Describes a broad rule that fits ordinary cases.
대부분taebubun: Describes the larger part of a group, amount, or period.

Definition in Korean

평균적이거나 눈에 띄지 않는 상태를 가리키는 말로, 특별한 경우가 아니라 관습적·전형적으로 그러함을 나타낼 때 쓰이는 부사.pyeong gyun jeo gi geo na nu ne tti ji an neun sang tae reul ka ri ki neun mal lo teuk ppyeol han kyeong u ga a ni ra kwan seup jjeok cheon hyeong jeo geu ro keu reo ha meul na ta nael ttae sseu i neun pu sa

Word origin

보통 (botong, "usually") comes from a Sino-Korean term meaning common or ordinary.

Usage tips

  • In a sentence about habits, it helps show what is typical rather than describing a special occasion.

Other meanings

  • regularnoun

Opposites

  • 드물게teumulgerarelyadverb

Word lists with this word