习惯

• Pinyin: xí guàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 习 = simplified from 習, 羽 (feathers) — a bird practising flight; 惯 = 忄 (heart) + 贯 (to string together)

Meaning

Habit; to be used to; to get accustomed to. Refers to a regular practice or the process of becoming familiar with something.

As a noun, 习惯 means 'habit' or 'custom.' As a verb, it means 'to be accustomed to' or 'to get used to.' Very commonly used in daily life to talk about routines, adjusting to new environments, or cultural differences. The negative form 不习惯 (not used to) is equally common.

Examples

1. 早睡早起是一个好习惯。 Going to bed early and getting up early is a good habit.
2. 你习惯这里的天气了吗？ Have you got used to the weather here?
3. 我已经习惯了一个人住。 I'm already used to living alone.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, personal, cultural

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 你有什么坏习惯？(What bad habits do you have?)
• 我还不太习惯用筷子。(I'm still not very used to using chopsticks.)

Don't Say

• 我习惯了明天去跑步。(Don't use 习惯 for a one-time plan — 习惯 is for repeated patterns or adjustment over time. Say 我打算明天去跑步.)

Origin & History

Compound of 习 (to practise, to review) and 惯 (accustomed), together meaning 'practised until accustomed' — something done so often it becomes second nature.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal