习惯 (xíguàn) — habit; to be used to; custom

HSK 4 | noun / verb | a regular behavior or the state of being accustomed

习惯 (xíguàn)

习惯 refers to a habitual pattern of behavior as a noun, and as a verb it means to be accustomed to or to get used to something.

Meanings

  1. [noun] Habit; custom; regular practice.
  2. [verb] To be used to; to be accustomed to; to get used to.

Example Sentences

他有每天早起跑步的习惯。 Tā yǒu měitiān zǎoqǐ pǎobù de xíguàn. He has the habit of getting up early and running every day.

我还没有习惯这里的天气。 Wǒ hái méiyǒu xíguàn zhèlǐ de tiānqì. I have not yet gotten used to the weather here.

养成好习惯对健康很重要。 Yǎngchéng hǎo xíguàn duì jiànkāng hěn zhòngyào. Developing good habits is very important for health.

刚开始很难,但慢慢就习惯了。 Gāng kāishǐ hěn nán, dàn mànmàn jiù xíguàn le. It was difficult at first, but I gradually got used to it.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
养成习惯 to develop a habit
改变习惯 to change a habit
生活习惯 lifestyle habits
习惯了 to have gotten used to
不习惯 not used to; unaccustomed

Usage Notes

As a verb, 习惯 is often followed by a noun or verb phrase: 习惯这里 (used to this place), 习惯早起 (used to getting up early). The completed form 习惯了 means the process of getting used to something is done. 不习惯 expresses discomfort with something unfamiliar.

Memory Hook

习 means "to practice/repeat" and 惯 means "to be accustomed to"; something you have practiced so many times that it becomes natural is your 习惯.