传统 (chuántǒng)

传统 refers to customs, beliefs, and practices that have been inherited and passed down through generations. As an adjective it means "traditional." It carries a generally positive connotation of cultural continuity, though it can also imply something outdated in certain contexts.

Meanings

[noun] Tradition; convention; heritage.
[adjective] Traditional; conventional; classic.

Example Sentences

春节是中国最重要的传统节日，有着几千年的历史。 Chūnjié shì Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de chuántǒng jiérì, yǒuzhe jǐ qiān nián de lìshǐ. The Spring Festival is China's most important traditional holiday, with a history of several thousand years.

这家餐厅以传统烹饪方法著称，坚持使用天然食材。 Zhè jiā cāntīng yǐ chuántǒng pēngrèn fāngfǎ zhùchēng, jiānchí shǐyòng tiānrán shícái. This restaurant is famous for its traditional cooking methods and insists on using natural ingredients.

他们既尊重传统，也勇于接受新的思想和变化。 Tāmen jì zūnzhòng chuántǒng, yě yǒng yú jiēshòu xīn de sīxiǎng hé biànhuà. They both respect tradition and are willing to embrace new ideas and changes.

现代社会中，如何平衡传统价值观与现代生活方式是一个重要课题。 Xiàndài shèhuì zhōng, rúhé pínghéng chuántǒng jiàzhíguān yǔ xiàndài shēnghuó fāngshì shì yīgè zhòngyào kètí. In modern society, how to balance traditional values and modern lifestyles is an important issue.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
传统文化	traditional culture
传统节日	traditional holiday
传统观念	traditional ideas/values
尊重传统	respect tradition
传统工艺	traditional craftsmanship

Usage Notes

传统 used as an adjective always precedes the noun it modifies: 传统食物 (traditional food), 传统医学 (traditional medicine). As a noun it often appears after verbs like 尊重 (respect), 继承 (inherit), 保护 (preserve), and 打破 (break). In contemporary discussion, 传统 is frequently contrasted with 现代 (modern) or 创新 (innovation).

Memory Hook

传 means "to pass on/transmit" and 统 means "unified/continuous thread." Tradition is the continuous thread passed from one generation to the next, keeping the fabric of culture intact.