almindeligt

Almindeligt is a Danish word used as both an adjective and an adverb. As an adjective it means ordinary, common, or usual, referring to things that are typical or widely encountered. As an adverb it means generally or usually, indicating frequency or generality. Examples include "Det var en almindelig dag" (It was an ordinary day) and "I Danmark er det almindeligt at spise klokken seks" (In Denmark it is generally/usually eaten at six).

Etymology and forms: The word stems from the adjective almindelig, meaning ordinary or typical. The adverbial form almindeligt is created from this adjective by adding the suffix -t, following common Danish patterns for turning adjectives into adverbs or emphasizing generality.

Usage notes: Almindeligt is a common, neutral descriptor in everyday Danish. It can apply to objects, events, or behaviors, as in describing a typical situation or a common practice. It contrasts with words meaning unusual or exceptional, such as usædvanlig or bemærkelsesværdig, and with more specialized terms like normal in specific technical contexts. In sentences, it often appears with verbs like være, ske, eller være almindeligt at, meaning “it is common to…/it is typically to….”

Related terms: almindelig (adjective), normalt (adverb, meaning normally), sædvanlig (adjective/adverb, meaning customary). Almindeligt remains widely used in both formal and informal Danish to express generality and typicality.