Üblich vs. gewöhnlich vs. alltäglich
While üblich, gewöhnlich, and alltäglich can all be translated as "common" or "usual", they differ in nuance. üblich refers to social customs or standards, gewöhnlich refers to what is normal or ordinary (as opposed to special), and alltäglich refers to the mundane routine of everyday life.
Üblich
B1This word describes something that is customary, standard, or conventional within a specific group, region, or context. It implies that there is a social rule, tradition, or unwritten law suggesting this is how things are done. If you deviate from what is üblich, you might be breaking protocol.
In Deutschland ist es üblich, dem Kellner Trinkgeld zu geben.
(In Germany, it is customary to give the waiter a tip.)
Es ist absolut üblich, dass Meetings fünf Minuten später beginnen.
(It is absolutely standard that meetings start five minutes late.)
Welche Vorgehensweise ist in dieser Firma üblich?
(Which procedure is standard practice in this company?)
Das ist hier nicht so üblich.
(That is not really customary here.)
Gewöhnlich
B1Derived from Gewohnheit (habit), this word describes something that happens usually, normally, or is simply ordinary. It can refer to frequency (what usually happens) or quality (something plain with no special features). Unlike üblich, it focuses more on habit or lack of uniqueness rather than social rules.
Ich stehe gewöhnlich um sieben Uhr auf.
(I usually get up at seven o'clock.)
Es war ein ganz gewöhnlicher Tag ohne Überraschungen.
(It was a completely ordinary day without surprises.)
Für gewöhnlich trinke ich keinen Alkohol.
(Usually, I do not drink alcohol.)
Das ist kein Diamant, das ist ein gewöhnlicher Stein.
(That is not a diamond, that is an ordinary stone.)
Alltäglich
B2Coming from Alltag (everyday life/daily routine), this refers to things that are commonplace, mundane, or banal. It describes things that happen day-in and day-out. It often carries a slight connotation of being boring, routine, or stressful because it is so omnipresent.
Stress ist im modernen Leben fast alltäglich geworden.
(Stress has become almost commonplace in modern life.)
Wir müssen eine Lösung für ganz alltägliche Probleme finden.
(We need to find a solution for quite everyday problems.)
Der Anblick von Smartphones ist heutzutage alltäglich.
(The sight of smartphones is commonplace nowadays.)
Er hat ein sehr alltägliches Gesicht, das man schnell vergisst.
(He has a very mundane face that one forgets quickly.)
Summary
To choose the right word, look at the context: use üblich for customs, rules, and conventions; use gewöhnlich for habits or ordinary objects; and use alltäglich for routine, mundane occurrences that happen every day.