习惯
habit; to be accustomed to
xíguàn
What does 习惯 mean?
习惯 (xíguàn) works as both a noun ('habit, custom') and a verb ('to be used to, to get accustomed to'). As a noun: 好习惯 (a good habit), 坏习惯 (a bad habit), 生活习惯 (lifestyle / daily habits). As a verb, it takes a direct object — the thing you've gotten used to: 我习惯了北京的天气 (I've gotten used to Beijing's weather). The completed-action particle 了 is very common after 习惯 to mark 'have become accustomed.'
Two contrasts with English: first, 'I'm not used to X' translates as 我不习惯 X, NOT 我没习惯 — use 不, not 没. Second, English 'habit' can be quirky/personal (a nervous habit) — for that, 毛病 or 习惯 both work, but
Character breakdown
to practice; to study
to be accustomed to
Memory hook: 习 (practice) + 惯 (accustomed) — what you practice enough becomes a habit you're accustomed to.
Measure word for 习惯
Example sentences
我习惯早睡早起。
Wǒ xíguàn zǎo shuì zǎo qǐ.
I'm used to going to bed early and getting up early.
neutral
这是一个好习惯。
Zhè shì yí gè hǎo xíguàn.
This is a good habit.
neutral
他不习惯一个人吃饭。
Tā bù xíguàn yí gè rén chī fàn.
He's not used to eating alone.
spoken
你习惯了北京的天气吗？
Nǐ xíguàn le Běijīng de tiānqì ma?
Have you gotten used to Beijing's weather?
spoken
每天看书是一种好的生活习惯。
Měi tiān kàn shū shì yì zhǒng hǎo de shēnghuó xíguàn.
Reading every day is a good lifestyle habit.
written
Common phrases with 习惯
Hear it in real Fluentide episodes
习惯 appears in 1 podcast episode at natural native speed, with full Chinese script, pinyin, and line-by-line English translation.
Synonyms
适应 means 'to adapt to' — emphasizes adjusting to a new environment. 习惯 emphasizes 'feels normal now / no longer bothers me.' 适应新工作 (adapt to a new job) vs 习惯新工作 (got used to the new job). They overlap, but 适应 is more active.