Japanese word

習慣

Pronunciation

Romajishūkan

Meaning

  • nounhabit

Example

毎朝、朝ご飯を食べる習慣があります。mai asa asa go han o ta be ru shū kan ga a ri ma su

I have a habit of eating breakfast every morning.

Illustration for 習慣 (habit)

More examples

寝る前に本を読む習慣を身につけたいです。ne ru mae ni hon o yo mu shū kan o mi ni tsu ke ta i de su

I want to develop a habit of reading before bed.

Core concept

Describes a regular pattern of behavior formed through repetition and followed almost naturally.

Common phrases

  • 良い習慣yo i shū kan

    good habit

  • 習慣があるshū kan ga a ru

    have a habit

  • 習慣を身につけるshū kan o mi ni tsu ke ru

    develop a habit

  • 習慣を変えるshū kan o ka e ru

    change a habit

Similar words

癖kuse: A personal behavior that occurs repeatedly, sometimes without conscious thought.

Definition in Japanese

同じことを繰り返すうちに身についた、行動や生活のきまり。ona ji ko to o ku ri kae su u chi ni mi ni tsu i ta kō dō ya sei katsu no ki ma ri

Word origin

習慣 (shūkan) combines 習 (shū, "learn and practice") and 慣 (kan, "become accustomed"), expressing how repeated actions become familiar behavior.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 良い習慣 (yoi shūkan) means a good habit, while 悪い習慣 (warui shūkan) means a bad habit, so the word itself is neutral.

Related words

  • 習慣化shūkankahabit formationnoun

Word lists with this word