Explore how 普 connects what is ordinary with what extends widely. Learn the words in context.
The idea
普 has 12 strokes; follow the linked diagram. Its common on-reading is ふ. Learn 普通（ふつう）, 普及（ふきゅう） and 普遍（ふへん） as whole words. 普通 can modify a noun with の or mean usually on its own.
Examples
- 普通は電車で通勤します。I usually go to work by train.
- これは普通のノートです。This is an ordinary notebook.
- スマートフォンが広く普及しました。Smartphones have become widespread.
- 市は自転車の普及に取り組んでいます。The city is working to spread the use of bicycles.
- この物語は普遍的なテーマを扱っています。This story explores a universal theme.
- 普通列車はすべての駅に止まります。The local train stops at every station.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
普通 means ordinary or usual; 普及 describes spreading widely, while 普遍 refers to something universal across cases. A 普通列車 is a local train, not simply an ordinary train.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 普通 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
ふつう
普通 is ふつう: 普通は can mean “usually”. Remember the complete word.
Write the reading of 普及 in hiragana.
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ふきゅう
普及 is ふきゅう; it describes something becoming widespread.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿遍（ふへん）［普／並］.
Show answer or example answer
普
普 completes 普遍（ふへん）, as in 普遍的なテーマ, a universal theme.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 普通 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 普及 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿遍（ふへん）［普／並］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 普 following the diagram. Cover the readings, read the three words aloud, and make a sentence using 普通.