also: へき
Usually refers to a personal habit, often a bad or annoying one, but can be neutral. Common in phrases like 癖になる (become a habit) or 癖がある (have a habit/peculiarity).
He has a habit of biting his nails.
This game is addictive (becomes a habit).
peculiarity; idiosyncrasy; mannerism; quirk
Only with reading くせ / クセ
Describes a distinctive personal trait, often a small oddity or characteristic way of doing something. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes uniqueness rather than repetition.
She has a slight quirk in the way she speaks.
That author's writing style is strongly idiosyncratic.
Only with reading くせ / クセ
Refers to a physical irregularity: a crease in paper or cloth, a kink in hair or wire, a wrinkle. Often used with つく (癖がつく) or 直す (癖を直す).
This paper has a crease from being folded.
My hair has a strong kink, so mornings are tough.
He has a habit of scratching his head when he thinks.
I want to break my habit of biting my nails.
My hair has a kink in it and won't lie flat.
That teacher is a very eccentric person.
癖 is a personal, often unconscious mannerism, while 習性 is a more formal term covering broader behavioral patterns, including those of animals.
癖 describes a personal, often unconscious mannerism or quirk, whereas 常習 refers to a more deliberate, established pattern of behavior, frequently in a legal or formal sense.
sticky fingers; compulsive stealing · habitual hand movements; unconscious hand gestures · wear from handling; marks from frequent use
bed hair; messy hair from sleeping · habit of moving in one's sleep; sleeping habit
a peculiar trait; idiosyncrasy; a quirk
womanizing; philandering; weakness for women
some habits; some eccentricities
incontinence; promiscuity
predisposition; inclination; nature; tendency
interest in men; itch for men
and yet; even though; despite
junk ball; off-speed pitch · unexpected move; unorthodox measure · statement with an ulterior motive; loaded remark
handwriting habits; idiosyncrasies in writing · style of writing; style of painting
gait; manner of walking · leg technique; tripping technique
and yet; even so; nonetheless
curl; tendency to curl
Kana spelling is common in casual writing and when the kanji is not needed.
Katakana spelling sometimes used for emphasis or in informal contexts.