Meaning and Usage
"普遍" (pǔbiàn) means "universal" or "widespread." It describes something that is common or generally applicable across many people, places, or situations.
Common Contexts
It is often used to talk about ideas, phenomena, or conditions that are widely accepted or found everywhere, such as "普遍的教育" (universal education) or "普遍存在" (universally exist).
Collocations and Patterns
These collocations emphasize the broad scope or general acceptance of the subject.
Nuances
Using "普遍" implies a high degree of generality but does not mean absolutely without exception. It is more formal and often used in written or formal spoken Chinese rather than casual conversation.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "普遍" with "一般" (yībān), which means "general" or "ordinary" but is less strong in implying universality. "普遍" stresses wide coverage or acceptance.