The Meaning of hijou [非常] In Japanese

非常

ひじょう

Romaji: hijou N5

What does 非常 mean?

Translation and Meaning

emergency, urgent, extraordinary, extreme

Definition

非常 means a state outside normal conditions requiring prompt attention; it denotes emergencies and critical situations, and it also signals exceptional degree in compounds like 非常に.

Type

noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

As a noun, emergency or urgent situation requiring prompt action
In compounds, indicates a special or critical state (as in 非常時, 非常口)
As a basis for the adverbial form 非常に to express a high degree (extremely)

Etymology

hi (非) and jō (常) combine in on’yomi to yield hijō; this Sino-Japanese reading pattern shows how two kanji pairings produce a single native pronunciation without using kun readings.

Composition

非 — negative prefix: not, non
常 — usual, constant
Together express ‘not normal’, leading to notions of emergency or extraordinary

Usage

Used in formal, technical, and public-safety contexts to denote emergencies or exceptional conditions; common in signage and official communication; the adverbial form 非常に (hijō ni) expresses a high degree and is used with adjectives or verbs; in casual conversation speakers often opt for more specific terms like 緊急 (kinkyū) for urgent situations.

💡 Tips

Mnemonic: Not + normal equals hijō; visualize a red alarm sign labeled not normal to recall the sense of emergency or extreme degree (hijō).

Variations

緊急 (kinkyū) — emergency
異常 (ijō) — abnormal/exceptional
非常に (hijō ni) — extremely

Example Phrases

今日は非常に重要な会議があり、準備が大変だ。

Kyou wa hijou ni juuyou na kaigi ga ari, junbi ga taihen da.

There is a very important meeting today, and the preparation is tough.
Lista:
- 今日は (kyou wa) – today
- 非常に (hijou ni) – extremely
- 重要な (juuyou na) – important
- 会議が (kaigi ga) – meeting
- あり (ari) – there is
- 準備が (junbi ga) – preparation
- 大変だ (taihen da) – is tough
‘非常に’ uses 「非常」 as an adverbial intensifier; here it strengthens 「重要な」.