üblich
usual
The way something normally or usually is or is done; in accordance with habit or convention.
EXAMPLE
In Deutschland ist es üblich, zur Begrüßung die Hand zu geben.
In Germany, it is usual to shake hands when greeting someone.
üblich
usual
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
wie üblich
as usual
A fixed expression meaning that something happens the way it always or expectedly happens.
EXAMPLE
Der Zug hatte, wie üblich, fünf Minuten Verspätung.
The train was, as usual, five minutes late.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'üblich' (usual) is related to the verb 'üben' (to practice) and the noun 'die Übung' (exercise/practice). Something that is 'üblich' (usual) has become the norm through habit or repeated practice.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Übung wurde es für ihn üblich, morgens eine Stunde zu lesen.
After long practice, it became usual for him to read for an hour in the morning.
Sentence structure with 'es'
'Üblich' (usual) is very often used in impersonal sentences with 'es' (it). Typical sentence patterns are 'Es ist üblich, zu + infinitive' (It is usual to + infinitive) or 'Es ist üblich, dass ...' (It is usual that ...).
EXAMPLE
In Japan ist es nicht üblich, im Restaurant Trinkgeld zu geben.
In Japan, it is not usual to tip in restaurants.
Typical collocations
'Üblich' (usual) is often used as the second part of compound adjectives to describe a norm specific to an industry or place. Examples are 'branchenüblich' (standard in the industry), 'handelsüblich' (commercially available/standard), or 'ortsüblich' (customary locally).
EXAMPLE
Ein Gehalt in dieser Höhe ist für die Position branchenüblich.
A salary of this amount is standard in the industry for the position.
Word order
The fixed expression 'wie üblich' (as usual) can stand in different places in the sentence. If it stands at the beginning of the sentence (position 1), the verb follows directly after it.
EXAMPLE
Wie üblich war der Supermarkt am Samstagmorgen sehr voll.
As usual, the supermarket was very crowded on Saturday morning.
Compare with
üblich vs normal
normal
Normal and üblich can both express that something is expected or not unusual. normal evaluates a state more generally as regular, while üblich refers more strongly to an established habit or convention. Use normal for general expectations and üblich for behavior that is practiced regularly.
üblich
In dieser Firma ist es üblich, neue Mitarbeiter persönlich zu begrüßen.
At this company, it is customary to welcome new employees in person.
normal
Es ist normal, dass neue Mitarbeiter am Anfang viele Fragen haben.
It is normal for new employees to have a lot of questions at first.
In real life
Loading video examples...