Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'bad habit' depends on whether you mean a personal vice, an annoying mannerism, a social failing, or a recurring mistake. The most common word is 悪癖 (あくへき), but other terms like 悪習 (あくしゅう) for societal bad habits or 癖 (くせ) for personal quirks are also used. This guide helps you choose the right expression.
Referring to a personal bad habit like smoking, nail-biting, or procrastination.
The most direct and common translation for a personal bad habit. It implies a negative behavior that is hard to break.
He has many bad habits and can't seem to break them.
Smoking is a bad habit.
A more colloquial phrase meaning 'bad habit'. It's less formal than 悪癖 and often used in everyday speech.
Biting your nails is a bad habit.
Means 'habit' or 'mannerism'. When used alone, it can be neutral or negative depending on context. Often used for unconscious habits.
Not always negative; can refer to any habitual behavior. Use 悪い癖 or 悪癖 to explicitly convey 'bad'.
Shaking his leg is a habit of his.
Describing a physical or verbal tic that bothers others, like fidgeting or interrupting.
Referring to a bad custom or practice in society, like corruption or littering.
Describing a pattern of making the same error, like grammatical mistakes or poor judgment.
悪癖 (あくへき) is for personal bad habits, while 悪習 (あくしゅう) is for societal or institutional bad customs. Using 悪習 for a personal habit sounds overly dramatic.
In casual conversation, 悪い癖 (わるいくせ) is more natural than 悪癖 (あくへき), which can sound stiff. Reserve 悪癖 for formal or written contexts.
To sweep away evil customs.
先延ばしは私の悪癖です。
Procrastination is my bad habit.