Translation guide
The English word "habit" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common is a personal routine or tendency (習慣), but it can also refer to a bad habit or addiction (癖), a religious garment (修道服), or even a riding habit (乗馬服). This guide helps you choose the right Japanese word based on what you mean.
A regular practice or behavior, often done unconsciously or by custom.
The most common and general word for a habit, custom, or routine. It can be good or bad, personal or social.
It's my habit to jog every morning.
Going to bed early and getting up early is a good habit.
A grammar pattern meaning "I make it a habit to..." or "I make a point of...". Used for intentional habits.
I make it a habit to write in my diary every day.
A pattern meaning "I try to make a habit of..." or "I make an effort to...". Softer than 〜ことにしている.
I try to make a habit of eating lots of vegetables.
A negative or compulsive behavior, often hard to break, or a personal quirk.
Refers to a (usually bad) habit, mannerism, or tendency. Often implies something unconscious or hard to stop. Can also mean a kink or twist (e.g., in hair).
I have a habit of biting my nails.
He has a habit of touching his hair when he talks.
Can also be used for bad habits, but 癖 is more common for personal, unconscious ones. 習慣 is broader.
Specifically means addiction or dependency (e.g., alcohol, drugs, gambling). Use only for serious addictions.
A traditional or cultural practice shared by a group.
Also used for customs and social habits. Context distinguishes personal from social.
In Japan, there is a custom of taking off shoes.
Specifically refers to traditional customs or folkways, often with cultural or historical roots.
Refers to conventional practices or unwritten rules in society or a specific field. More formal than 習慣.
The distinctive clothing worn by members of a religious order.
A woman's outfit for horseback riding, consisting of a jacket and long skirt.
General term for riding clothes. Not specifically a historical women's habit, but understood in context.
She wore a riding habit and mounted the horse.
From French 'amazone', refers specifically to a woman's riding habit with a long skirt. Rare and historical.
習慣 (しゅうかん) is a general habit, routine, or custom, often neutral or positive. 癖 (くせ) usually implies a bad or unconscious habit, mannerism, or tendency. Use 癖 for nail-biting, hair-twirling, etc. Use 習慣 for daily jogging or cultural practices. However, 習慣 can also be used for bad habits when you want to emphasize the habitual nature rather than the unconscious aspect.
He has a habit of being late. (unconscious/annoying)
He has a habit of being late. (more neutral/descriptive)
癖 almost always carries a negative or quirky connotation. Saying 良い癖 (よいくせ) is possible but unusual; 良い習慣 is much more natural for a good habit.
Use 〜ようになる to express a change toward a habit. For intentional habit formation, use 〜ことにしている or 〜ようにしている.
Recently, I've gotten into the habit of waking up early.
悪い習慣をやめたい。
I want to quit my bad habits.
彼はアルコール依存症だ。
He has an alcohol addiction.
この地域には独特の風習が残っている。
Unique customs remain in this region.
商慣習に従う。
Follow business customs.
The monk wears a habit.
19世紀の女性はアマゾンを着用した。
Women in the 19th century wore riding habits.