How to say "run-of-the-mill" in Japanese
- 並大抵なみたいていno-adjective, na-adjectiveThe common, general-purpose choice: use it when you simply mean that something is ordinary, average, nothing special — the default word for 'run-of-the-mill'.
- 世の常よのつねno-adjective, expressionA less common word for what is ordinary or usual, with a nuance of the way things normally are in the world; it does cover 'run-of-the-mill', but it is seldom the word you reach for.
- 十人並みじゅうにんなみno-adjective, na-adjectiveA less common word suggesting the level of an average person among ten; it rates someone's ability or looks as average and unremarkable, so it fits 'run-of-the-mill' chiefly for people.
- expression, prenominal modifierA less common way to say that a thing can be found anywhere — commonplace, typical, ubiquitous; usually written in kana alone. Use it when 'run-of-the-mill' means 'the sort of thing you encounter everywhere'.
- expression, prenominal modifierA less common counterpart for people and animals: someone so ordinary you could find them anywhere; usually written in kana alone. Use it when calling a person run-of-the-mill — unremarkable, typical, one of the crowd.僕にはどこにでもいるおっさんとしか見えないけどなあ。↗To me he's no different from a million other dull middle aged men.
並大抵 is the common all-purpose word for 'ordinary, run-of-the-mill'; 「世の常」 is a less common alternative; 「十人並み」 rates a person's ability or looks as average; 「どこにでもある」 and 「どこにでもいる」 stress things or people being found everywhere.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
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