Expressions 人ひと の 常つね human nature; the way people are Related words いつも is a common adverb meaning 'always' or 'usually', while 常 is a noun-like word for the normal state or ordinary course of things.
普通 means 'normal' or 'ordinary' in broad everyday use, while 常 sounds more fixed or set-phrase-like when referring to the way things generally are.
恒常 is a more formal noun meaning constancy or a steady, unchanging state, while 常 refers more broadly to the ordinary course of things.
Opposites 異常 means 'abnormal' or 'unusual', the direct opposite of 常 , which refers to the normal, usual state of things.
Word family always; constantly; at all times
always; usually; constantly
ordinary; run-of-the-mill; usual
master's residence (Heian palace architecture) · emperor's usual living quarters (imperial palace)
everyday; always; habitually
unusually; uncharacteristically
Written forms 常つね Usage 80%
Standard and common kanji spelling for つね in the sense of the ordinary or usual state of things.
つね Usage 20%
恒つね Usage <1%
Attested alternative spelling, but uncommon as a standalone つね ; 恒 is more familiar in compounds expressing constancy.
Etymology つね is a native Japanese word conventionally written with 常 for normality or constancy. The alternative 恒 also conveys constancy, but its standalone use for つね is uncommon; the precise historical development is not specified.
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