Is "/usr/bin/passwd" working as devlers expected?

[Makoto Mizukami]

Hello,

When I just tried to change password of my user account, "/usr/bin/passwd" returned me messages like following:
-----
[((username))@localhost ~]$ passwd
Changing password for user ((username)).
Changing password for ((username)).
(current) UNIX password: 
New UNIX password: 
BAD PASSWORD: it is based on a dictionary word
New UNIX password: 
BAD PASSWORD: it is based on a dictionary word
New UNIX password: 
BAD PASSWORD: it is based on a dictionary word
passwd: Authentication token manipulation error
-----
and I cannot change my password.  It is true that I had type a simple English word, but when I did with root, it only alerts me once and I was able to change the root password.  Please tell me whethere this is normal happening or not.

Thanks,
Makoto Mizukami