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习惯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
习惯xíguànhabitHSK 3, n, 14 strokes, rank #1291, Medium
习惯xíguàncustomHSK 3, n, 14 strokes, rank #1291, Medium
习惯xíguànusual practiceHSK 3, n, 14 strokes, rank #1291, Medium
习惯xíguànto be used toHSK 3, n, 14 strokes, rank #1291, Medium
xíguàn(xi2guan4)xi guan T2
  1. 1habit
  2. 2custom
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March 24, 2026

习惯(習慣)xíguàn(xi2guan4)

习惯 (xíguàn) refers to a habit or custom that individuals develop over time through repeated actions or practices. It can denote personal habits, such as daily routines, or social customs that are widely accepted in a culture. This term emphasizes the idea of becoming accustomed to something.

Strokes14Frequency#1291DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, forming good habits is highly valued, particularly regarding education and social behavior. The concept of 习惯 is often linked to the idea of discipline and self-improvement, which are important in both personal and professional contexts.

Memory Tip

Think of 习 (xí) as 'learning' and 惯 (guàn) as 'to be used to'. Imagine a student learning a new skill until it becomes a natural habit, like a fish learning to swim or a bird learning to fly. The characters together create a vivid image of someone learning to adapt and form habits.

Meanings of 习惯

xíguàn(xi2guan4)
1habit
2custom
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About 习惯

习惯Simplified
習慣Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1291Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L3ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

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Podcast: 习惯

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AI Study Notes for 习惯

Quick Contrast

习性 (xíxìng) refers to an inherent characteristic or tendency, while 习惯 (xíguàn) emphasizes a learned behavior or practice.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 习惯; it can refer to both personal habits and societal customs. Avoid confusing it with other similar terms like 习性 (xíxìng), which refers more to nature or disposition. Common collocations include '养成习惯' (to develop a habit) and '习惯了' (to be accustomed to).

HSK Study Tips

习惯 is an HSK Level 3 word, connecting with other words that relate to daily life and routines. Focus on using it in sentences describing your habits or customs. Practice with phrases like '我习惯早起' (I am accustomed to getting up early).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 习惯 with 习性. For example, saying '我的 习性 是早起' (My habit is to get up early) is incorrect; the correct phrasing is '我的习惯是早起'. Additionally, remember to use the correct tone for both characters.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 习惯

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Component Characters

习xíto practice
HSK 13 strokes冫
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惯guànaccustomed to
HSK 711 strokes忄
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How to say habit in Chinese

“habit” in Chinese is习惯xíguàn

习惯 (xíguàn) refers to a habit or custom that individuals develop over time through repeated actions or practices. It can denote personal habits, such as daily routines, or social customs that are widely accepted in a culture. This term emphasizes the idea of becoming accustomed to something.

When to use 习惯

Be mindful of the context in which you use 习惯; it can refer to both personal habits and societal customs. Avoid confusing it with other similar terms like 习性 (xíxìng), which refers more to nature or disposition. Common collocations include '养成习惯' (to develop a habit) and '习惯了' (to be accustomed to).

习惯 or something close to it

习性 (xíxìng) refers to an inherent characteristic or tendency, while 习惯 (xíguàn) emphasizes a learned behavior or practice.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 习惯 with 习性. For example, saying '我的 习性 是早起' (My habit is to get up early) is incorrect; the correct phrasing is '我的习惯是早起'. Additionally, remember to use the correct tone for both characters.

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习
惯

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Frequently Asked Questions about 习惯

You can say '我有一个好习惯: 每天锻炼' (I have a good habit: exercising every day).

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