How to say "conventional" in Japanese

• 在来ざいらいCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'conventional' for things such as methods, facilities, or systems that were already in place, especially when contrasted with something newly introduced or built.
• 伝統的でんとうてきCommon
  na-adjectiveThe word for 'conventional' in the sense of handed down by tradition: long-established customs, styles, or practices. It is the natural choice when 'conventional' and 'traditional' are interchangeable.
  能のうは伝統的でんとうてきな日本にっぽんの芸術げいじゅつである。↗

  Noh is a traditional Japanese art.
• 世間並みせけんなみCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveUsed for 'conventional' describing a life, behavior, or outlook that is just like everyone else's — ordinary and socially typical rather than tradition-based.
  我々われわれも世間せけんなみのことをしなくちゃ。↗

  We had better do what other people do.
• 従来じゅうらいJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'conventional' meaning the usual, existing way of doing something — what has been the case up to now — typically contrasted with a new method that improves on it.
  彼かれは従来じゅうらいの習慣しゅうかんと違ちがったことをした。↗

  He departed from the old custom.
• 月並みつきなみJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounFor 'conventional' as a criticism: remarks or ideas that are trite, hackneyed, and predictable. It implies lack of originality, so it is not a neutral way to say 'conventional'.
  月並つきなみのパーティーだったよ。↗

  That was just another party.

Choose 在来 or 従来 for conventional methods or systems that already exist, 伝統的 for tradition-based customs, 「世間並み」 for an ordinary, socially typical life or behavior, and 「月並み」 for unoriginally predictable remarks or ideas.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 在来ざいらいpre-existing
• 伝統的でんとうてきtraditional
• 世間並みせけんなみordinary (esp. life or behavior)
• 常套じょうとうconventional
• コンベンショナルconventional
• 因習的いんしゅうてきconventional
• 通常型つうじょうがたconventional
• ありきたりcommon
• 慣例的かんれいてきcustomary
• 従来型じゅうらいがたexisting (type, style, form)
• 慣習的かんしゅうてきcustomary
• 型通りかたどおりformal
• 通り一遍とおりいっぺんperfunctory
• お決まりおきまりstandard
• 従来じゅうらいtraditional
• 月並みつきなみtrite