chángshí: 常识 - Common Sense, General Knowledge

• Keywords: 常识, changshi, common sense in Chinese, general knowledge Chinese, Chinese culture, what is changshi, basic knowledge, social norms China, Chinese etiquette
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 常识 (chángshí), a fundamental Chinese term that translates to “common sense” or “general knowledge.” This page explores not just its literal definition but also its deep cultural significance, covering the basic facts, social etiquette, and unwritten rules that are expected of everyone in Chinese society. Learn how it's used in everyday conversation, from pointing out obvious facts to making a sharp social critique.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chángshí
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The body of facts, information, and social norms that an ordinary person is expected to know.
• In a Nutshell: 常识 (chángshí) is the stuff that “everybody knows.” It ranges from objective facts like “water boils at 100 degrees Celsius” to unspoken social rules like “you should offer your seat to the elderly on a bus.” Lacking 常识 isn't just about being uninformed; it often implies being socially unaware or even inconsiderate.

• 常 (cháng): This character means “common,” “ordinary,” “normal,” or “frequent.” Think of it as the baseline, the everyday standard.
• 识 (shí): This character means “to know,” “knowledge,” or “to recognize.” It's about awareness and understanding.
• When combined, 常识 (chángshí) literally means “common knowledge.” The characters perfectly capture the idea of a baseline level of understanding that is shared by all members of a community.

In Chinese culture, 常识 (chángshí) carries a weightier implication than its English counterpart, “common sense.” While in the West, lacking common sense might make someone seem a bit foolish or “ditzy,” in China, it can be seen as a more serious social failing. The concept is tied to the cultural value of social harmony (和谐, héxié). 常识 is the shared script that allows society to function smoothly. It includes not just factual knowledge but a vast array of social etiquette and relational rules (part of 关系, guānxi). Knowing when to speak, what gifts are appropriate, how to address elders, and how to behave as a guest are all considered forms of 常识. To accuse someone of “没有常识” (méiyǒu chángshí - having no common sense) is a pointed criticism. It suggests they are not just ignorant, but also inconsiderate, uncultured, or unable to function as a proper member of the group. It's less about intelligence and more about social attunement.

常识 is a high-frequency word used in many contexts.

• Criticism and Exasperation: This is one of the most common uses. When someone does something obviously wrong or asks a ridiculously simple question, a common response is a sigh followed by, “这是常识啊!” (Zhè shì chángshí a! - “This is common sense!”). The phrase “你没有常识吗?” (Nǐ méiyǒu chángshí ma? - “Don't you have any common sense?”) is a direct and potent critique.
• Stating a Fact: It's used neutrally to state that something is widely known. For example, “太阳从东边升起是常识” (The sun rising in the east is common sense).
• Categorizing Knowledge: It's often used in compounds to refer to a body of basic knowledge in a specific field, accessible to the layman.
  • 法律常识 (fǎlǜ chángshí) - Basic legal knowledge
  • 健康常识 (jiànkāng chángshí) - General health knowledge
  • 生活常识 (shēnghuó chángshí) - “Life common sense” (i.e., life hacks, practical daily tips)

• Example 1:
  • 连小孩子都知道这个，这是常识。
  • Pinyin: Lián xiǎo háizi dōu zhīdào zhège, zhè shì chángshí.
  • English: Even a child knows this; it's common sense.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses exasperation. The speaker is emphasizing how incredibly basic the piece of information is.
• Example 2:
  • 你把热水倒进玻璃杯里，杯子当然会裂开！你没有生活常识吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bǎ rè shuǐ dào jìn bōlí bēi lǐ, bēizi dāngrán huì liè kāi! Nǐ méiyǒu shēnghuó chángshí ma?
  • English: You poured boiling water into a glass, of course it cracked! Don't you have any life common sense?
  • Analysis: A classic example of a critical, almost scolding tone. “生活常识” refers to practical, everyday knowledge.
• Example 3:
  • 在中国，吃饭的时候不要把筷子插在米饭上，这是一个常识。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, chīfàn de shíhòu bùyào bǎ kuàizi chā zài mǐfàn shàng, zhè shì yīgè chángshí.
  • English: In China, not sticking your chopsticks upright in your rice is common sense.
  • Analysis: This highlights the cultural dimension of 常识. What is common sense in one culture may not be in another.
• Example 4:
  • 这本杂志介绍了很多有用的健康常识。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn zázhì jièshàole hěnduō yǒuyòng de jiànkāng chángshí.
  • English: This magazine introduced a lot of useful general health knowledge.
  • Analysis: A neutral, positive usage. Here, 常识 simply means “general knowledge” or “basic facts” for a particular field.
• Example 5:
  • 作为一个成年人，你应该有一些基本的法律常识。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīgè chéngnián rén, nǐ yīnggāi yǒu yīxiē jīběn de fǎlǜ chángshí.
  • English: As an adult, you should have some basic legal knowledge.
  • Analysis: This sentence is advisory. It suggests a baseline of knowledge expected of a responsible person.
• Example 6:
  • 他问我地球是不是方的，我真怀疑他的科学常识。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèn wǒ dìqiú shì bùshì fāng de, wǒ zhēn huáiyí tā de kēxué chángshí.
  • English: He asked me if the Earth is square; I really doubt his scientific knowledge.
  • Analysis: Here, 常识 is used to mean the most fundamental, grade-school level of scientific facts.
• Example 7:
  • 对不起，我刚来这个国家，对这里的常识还不太了解。
  • Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, wǒ gāng lái zhège guójiā, duì zhèlǐ de chángshí hái bù tài liǎojiě.
  • English: Sorry, I just arrived in this country, so I'm not yet familiar with the local common sense/customs.
  • Analysis: A useful phrase for foreigners. It politely acknowledges a lack of local cultural knowledge.
• Example 8:
  • 节约用水、保护环境是每个公民都应具备的常识。
  • Pinyin: Jiéyuē yòngshuǐ, bǎohù huánjìng shì měi gè gōngmín dōu yīng jùbèi de chángshí.
  • English: Conserving water and protecting the environment is common knowledge that every citizen should possess.
  • Analysis: This usage frames 常识 as a civic duty or a widely accepted social value.
• Example 9:
  • 我以为这是常识，没想到还需要我来解释。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐwéi zhè shì chángshí, méi xiǎngdào hái xūyào wǒ lái jiěshì.
  • English: I thought this was common sense; I didn't expect that I'd still have to explain it.
  • Analysis: A passive-aggressive or sarcastic tone, implying the listener is slow for not understanding something obvious.
• Example 10:
  • 缺乏安全常识可能会导致严重的后果。
  • Pinyin: Quēfá ānquán chángshí kěnéng huì dǎozhì yánzhòng de hòuguǒ.
  • English: A lack of basic safety knowledge can lead to serious consequences.
  • Analysis: A formal and serious usage, often seen in public service announcements or warnings.

• 常识 (chángshí) vs. 知识 (zhīshi): This is a crucial distinction.
  • 常识 is general, basic, and assumed knowledge. It's the foundation.
  • 知识 (zhīshi) is specialized, learned, or academic knowledge.
  • Incorrect: “学习量子物理就是学习一种新的常识。” (Xuéxí liàngzǐ wùlǐ jiùshì xuéxí yī zhǒng xīn de chángshí.)
  • Reason: Quantum physics is highly specialized 知识, not 常识. You would say “学习量子物理的知识.”
• 常识 (chángshí) vs. 智慧 (zhìhuì):
  • 智慧 (zhìhuì) means wisdom. It is the ability to apply knowledge and experience to make good judgments.
  • Someone can have a lot of 常识 but lack 智慧, and vice-versa. 常识 is about knowing *what*, while 智慧 is about knowing *what to do* with what you know.
• The Weight of Criticism: For an English speaker, saying “You have no common sense” can be a lighthearted jab. In Chinese, saying “你没有常识” (Nǐ méiyǒu chángshí) is often a much harsher and more direct insult. It's best to avoid using it to criticize others unless you intend to be very blunt.

• 知识 (zhīshi) - Knowledge (learned, academic, specialized). It's what you build on top of 常识.
• 道理 (dàolǐ) - Reason; principle; the way things ought to be. Much social 常识 is based on unspoken 道理.
• 规矩 (guīju) - Rules; customs; social etiquette. A huge component of social 常识 involves knowing the 规矩.
• 基本 (jīběn) - Basic; fundamental. Often used as a modifier, as in “基本常识” (basic common sense).
• 理所当然 (lǐ suǒ dāng rán) - An idiom meaning “as a matter of course” or “to take for granted.” Things that are 常识 are often considered 理所当然.
• 众所周知 (zhòng suǒ zhōu zhī) - A formal idiom meaning “as everyone knows.” It's a way to introduce a piece of information that is considered 常识.
• 白痴 (báichī) - Idiot. A very rude term that one might use to describe someone who severely lacks 常识. Use with extreme caution.