ordinary"普通的","平常的","平凡的",词义与common相近。指符合一般或常规事物标准或相同的规格,因而只具有普通的特性。如:That is quite an ordinary event.那是件很平常的事。 The book describes the way of life of the ordinary people of Mexico. 这本书描述墨西哥平民的生活方式。
common"普通的","平常的","共有的",指从质量或品德上无特殊,显眼或杰出之处,因而是大多数人或事物所具有的,常见的。如:It's an error quite common among scholars. 这是学者们常犯的错误。 It's too common to mention. 这是司空见惯的,不值一提。
general"一般的","普通的",含有例外情况较少之意或暗示包括全部的同一范畴的事物。如:She referred to her trip in a general way. 她只是概括地谈了下她的旅行情况。There is no general rule without some exception. 凡普通规律都有例外。
popular"常见的","普通的","大众的","受欢迎的",指属于、存在于或代表大众的某事物,强调常见的,大众化的特征。如:He speaks in popular language. 他用通俗的语言讲话。 He is popular for his kindness. 他因心地善良而受人爱戴。
universal "一般的","普通的","普遍的",有完全没有例外之意。如:It's the universal truth. 这是一名普遍的真理。There was universal recognizing at his victory. 人们普遍为他的胜利高兴。