común
“común” means “common” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
common, usual
Also: ordinary
📝 In Action
Es muy común ver perros en este parque.
A1It is very common to see dogs in this park.
La gripe es la enfermedad más común en invierno.
A2The flu is the most common illness in winter.
El arroz con pollo es un plato común en muchos países.
A1Rice with chicken is a common dish in many countries.
shared, mutual
Also: joint
📝 In Action
Tenemos varios intereses comunes, como la música.
A2We have several shared interests, such as music.
Necesitamos encontrar un punto común para negociar.
B1We need to find a common ground to negotiate.
El objetivo común de la reunión es firmar el contrato.
B2The mutual goal of the meeting is to sign the contract.
vulgar, crude
Also: lowbrow
📝 In Action
La crítica rechazó su estilo por considerarlo demasiado común.
C1The critic rejected his style for considering it too crude/plain.
Intentó evitar el uso de palabras comunes en su discurso.
B2He tried to avoid the use of vulgar words in his speech.
the average person, the masses
📝 In Action
Esto es desconocido para el común de los mortales.
C1This is unknown to the average person (or common people).
La nueva ley afectará al común de la ciudadanía.
C2The new law will affect the general public.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: común
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'común' to describe something that is SHARED?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *communis*, which meant 'shared' or 'belonging to the community.' This idea of 'sharing' is why the word applies both to things that are widely shared (common) and things that are shared between a few people (mutual).
First recorded: Around the 13th century in Spanish texts.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'común' change depending on if the noun is masculine or feminine?
No, it is one of those 'two-ending' adjectives. It always stays 'común' for singular nouns (el error común, la duda común). It only changes to 'comunes' for plural nouns.
What is the difference between 'común' and 'ordinario'?
They are often synonyms, both meaning 'ordinary' or 'usual.' However, 'común' is more neutral and frequent. 'Ordinario' can sometimes carry a stronger implication of being rude or low-quality, especially when describing people or behavior.