非常に
ひじょうに · hijouni · JLPT N4 · adverb
very
🚨 非常 = not + usual: beyond the ordinary, so extremely
非 (hi) means not, 常 (jou) means usual or normal. 非常 is also the word on emergency exits (非常口), an out-of-the-ordinary situation. Add に to make it an adverb: to a not-normal degree, i.e. extremely.
非 — two opposing wings 羽-like form
Originally a pictograph showing two wings spread in opposite directions, symbolizing things facing away from each other. From this 'opposition' image came the meaning 'not' or 'wrong.' It is also used as a phonetic component in many characters like 排, 悲, and 罪.
常 — 巾 (cloth) + 尚 (phonetic, 'esteem')
Originally written 裳, 常 was a phono-semantic compound: 巾 ('cloth') gave the meaning and 尚 supplied the sound, referring to a long lower garment or skirt. Over time the meaning shifted from 'everyday garment' to 'ordinary, regular, constant', while 裳 took over the original clothing sense.