01
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
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Meanings
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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 selten
rare / seldom
'selten' and 'üblich' can both have to do with whether something occurs normally. 'Selten' mainly says that something does not happen often or is not often present. 'Üblich' says that something is normal or follows habit. They can be confused because something rare is often also not usual. Still, the focus is different: 'selten' asks about frequency, while 'üblich' asks about normal behavior or the normal situation.
üblich
Bei diesem Termin ist es üblich, ein paar Minuten früher zu kommen.
For this appointment, it is usual to arrive a few minutes early.
selten
Solche Pflanzen findet man in dieser Gegend nur selten.
You only rarely find plants like these in this area.
In real life
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