Habits, Customs and Traditions - How Are They Different?

 

This week we answer a question from Ashraf in Egypt.

Question:

He writes, “Can you explain the difference between habit, custom and tradition?”

Answer:

Dear Ashraf,

Great question. All three words relate to actions that are done repeatedly¹. The difference is that traditions and customs² are practiced over a long period by many people. A habit is more informal³, and is usually limited to one person.

Let’s talk more about traditions and customs first. Traditions can include what most people in a country do on holidays. For example:

“Sharing a meal with turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition in the United⁴ States.”

Or: “Fireworks are part of America’s July 4th holiday tradition.”

Customs are also usual ways of behaving. But they are not as old as traditions, and they are practiced by fewer people.

Here is an example:

“In the American workplace⁵, it is the custom to shake people’s hands when you first meet them"

When a custom continues from generation to generation, it becomes a tradition.

“For fifty years, my grandparents had a custom of swimming in the lake on the first day of summer. Now my aunts, uncles, parents, and cousins do it, too. ‘Summer swim’ is our family tradition.”

In comparison⁶, habits are about just one person’s behavior. A habit is something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.

Here is an example:

“When she reads the newspaper, Jane makes it a habit to look at the weather first.”

We hope you will make it a habit to visit our website every day!

And That’s Ask a Teacher!

I’m Anne Ball.

Words in This Story

regular – adj. happening over and over again at the same time or in the same way : occurring every day, week, or month

1 repeatedly   

adv.重复地，再三地

参考例句：

• The loudspeakers blared the speech repeatedly.扬声器里反复大声地播送那篇演讲。
• He repeatedly beat his foot upon the floor.他反复用脚敲着地板。

2 customs   

n.海关，关税

参考例句：

• The customs officials turned the man over to the French police.海关官员把那个人移交给了法国警察。
• They are collecting customs.他们正在收缴关税。

3 informal   

adj.非正式的，不拘礼的，通俗的

参考例句：

• I got an informal reception.我受到了非正式接待。
• The leaders met over informal lunches.领袖们在非正式午餐时进行会晤。

4 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

5 workplace   

n.工作面(工作位置，车间，工厂)

参考例句：

• A workplace where ships are built or repaired.制造和修理船的工厂。
• Training can make people get along in the workplace.培训能让人们在工作场所和睦相处。

6 comparison   

n.比较，对照；比拟，比喻

参考例句：

• They make a comparison of New York to a beehive.他们把纽约比作一个蜂巢。
• This dress is really cheaper by comparison.比较起来，这件衣服确实便宜。