Common sense refers to the fundamental knowledge and judgment widely shared and applied in everyday life.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Basic knowledge and judgment most people share.
- Essential for daily life and communication.
- Gained through experience, not just study.
Overview
“常识” (chángshí) 是一个非常基础且重要的词汇，指的是普通人通过生活经验、社会交往和基础教育所获得的普遍性知识、判断能力和道理。它不是指高深的学问或专门的技能，而是指那些被大多数人认为是显而易见、理所当然的知识和见解。常识是社会成员之间有效沟通、互相理解和和谐共处的基础。缺乏常识可能导致沟通障碍、误解甚至社会性的尴尬。
“常识”一词可以作为主语、宾语或定语使用。例如，它可以说某人“有常识”、“缺乏常识”、“违反常识”、“符合常识”、“常识性错误”等。在句中，它常常与“基本”、“普通”、“一般”、“缺乏”、“拥有”、“懂得”、“违反”等词语搭配使用。
常识的应用场景非常广泛，几乎涵盖了生活的方方面面。在日常交流中，我们会用常识来判断事物的合理性，比如“在公共场合大声喧哗是不符合常识的”。在教育领域，强调培养学生的常识性知识，让他们了解基本的科学原理、历史事件和社会规范。在处理问题时，运用常识可以帮助我们做出更明智、更切合实际的决定。此外，在讨论一些社会现象或行为时，人们也常常会引用“常识”来衡量其是否符合普遍认知。
与“知识” (zhīshi) 相比，“常识”更侧重于普遍性、基础性和实践性，而“知识”的范围更广，可以包含专业知识、学术知识等。“常识”是“知识”的一部分，但更强调其大众化和生活化。“常识”也与“道理” (dàolǐ) 有关联，但“道理”更侧重于逻辑和因果关系，而“常识”包含了更广泛的生活经验和约定俗成的认知。
例如：“他学了很多专业知识，但在生活方面却显得缺乏常识。”这里“知识”指学术或专业领域，“常识”指生活中的基本判断。
“你这样做不讲道理，也不符合常识。”这里“道理”强调逻辑上的不合理，“常识”强调不符合普遍认知。
Examples
在图书馆需要保持安静，这是基本的常识。
everydayIt's common sense to remain quiet in a library.
他的行为完全不符合常识，让人难以理解。
formalHis behavior completely defied common sense, making it hard to understand.
这点小事还要问？真是缺乏常识。
informalYou still need to ask about such a small thing? You really lack common sense.
科学教育的目标之一是培养学生具备基本的科学常识。
academicOne goal of science education is to equip students with basic scientific common sense.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
常识判断
common sense judgment
生活常识
everyday common sense
常识普及
dissemination of common knowledge
Often Confused With
While common sense is a type of knowledge, 'knowledge' is a much broader term that includes specialized, academic, and technical information. Common sense is generally understood as practical, everyday knowledge accessible to most people.
'Dàolǐ' refers more to principles, logic, or reasons behind something. Common sense encompasses these but also includes practical judgments and widely accepted social norms derived from experience.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Common sense is a neutral term applicable in most contexts, from casual conversation to formal discussions. It implies a shared understanding within a group or society. Using 'common sense' suggests that the point being made should be obvious to most reasonable people.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'common sense' to refer to highly specialized knowledge or complex theories; it is specifically about everyday, widely understood principles. Also, be aware that what constitutes 'common sense' can sometimes vary slightly across cultures or age groups.
Tips
Apply Common Sense Daily
Constantly evaluate situations using basic logic and widely accepted knowledge. Don't overcomplicate simple matters.
Avoid Assuming Universal Common Sense
What seems obvious to you might not be to others, especially across different cultural or educational backgrounds. Be mindful of context.
Cultural Nuances in Common Sense
Common sense can be influenced by cultural norms and societal values. What is considered common sense in one culture might differ in another.
Word Origin
The term '常识' (chángshí) literally translates to 'constant knowledge'. It emerged to describe the fundamental understanding and judgment that people acquire through living and interacting within a society, distinguishing it from specialized or academic learning.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, including Chinese culture, emphasis is often placed on harmony and social appropriateness. Possessing and applying common sense is highly valued as it facilitates smooth social interactions and reflects good upbringing and understanding of societal norms.
Memory Tip
Think of '常' (cháng) as 'usual' or 'constant' and '识' (shí) as 'knowledge'. So, '常识' is the knowledge that is usual or constant for most people.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“常识”是普遍的、基础的、生活化的知识，是大多数人通过经验就能获得的。“知识”则范围更广，可以包括专业、学术等更深层次或专门的领域。
常识是有效沟通、互相理解的基础，能帮助人们做出合理的判断和决定，避免不必要的误解和麻烦，是融入社会、处理日常事务的必备能力。
通过积极参与生活、留心观察、多与人交流、阅读基础读物、保持开放心态去学习和体验，都可以逐渐积累常识。
通常指某人在某些方面表现出不合乎普遍认知、不合乎基本逻辑或不合乎社会规范的行为或判断，让人觉得难以理解或不合理。
Test Yourself
在公共场合保持安静是基本的______。
“常识”指普遍认知和行为规范，符合语境。
下列哪项最符合“常识”的定义？
选项b描述的是生活中的基本常识，而a, c, d则属于专业知识或技能。
他 / 缺乏 / 很多 / 生活 / 常识
“生活常识”是固定搭配，表示与生活相关的普遍知识。
Score: /3
Summary
Common sense refers to the fundamental knowledge and judgment widely shared and applied in everyday life.
- Basic knowledge and judgment most people share.
- Essential for daily life and communication.
- Gained through experience, not just study.
Apply Common Sense Daily
Constantly evaluate situations using basic logic and widely accepted knowledge. Don't overcomplicate simple matters.
Avoid Assuming Universal Common Sense
What seems obvious to you might not be to others, especially across different cultural or educational backgrounds. Be mindful of context.
Cultural Nuances in Common Sense
Common sense can be influenced by cultural norms and societal values. What is considered common sense in one culture might differ in another.
Examples
4 of 4在图书馆需要保持安静，这是基本的常识。
It's common sense to remain quiet in a library.
他的行为完全不符合常识，让人难以理解。
His behavior completely defied common sense, making it hard to understand.
这点小事还要问？真是缺乏常识。
You still need to ask about such a small thing? You really lack common sense.
科学教育的目标之一是培养学生具备基本的科学常识。
One goal of science education is to equip students with basic scientific common sense.
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This Word in Other Languages
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