습관
seupgwan[sʰɯp̚k͈wa̠n]
The English word "habit" can be translated into Korean as 습관 (seupgwan) or 버릇.
Meaning: action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 습관 | seupgwan | [sʰɯp̚k͈wa̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 버릇 | beoreut | [pʌ̹ɾɯt̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
Both words refer to an action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness. To express the act of forming or developing a habit, the standard phrase is 습관을 들이다.
Which one should you use?
습관 is the standard, neutral term used for a habit or a routine.
How do you pronounce it?
seupgwan
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 버릇 when you are engaged in formal or scientific discussions regarding habits. In these contexts, 습관 is the more appropriate choice.
Did you know?
- The character 習 in 습관 originally depicted a bird flapping its wings repeatedly to learn how to fly, emphasizing the 'practice' aspect of a habit.
- In Korean, to say one has 'bad habits' regarding manners, you might use the phrase 버릇없다, which literally means 'to have no habit' or 'to be without manners'.
- In Korean, the phrase 버릇을 들이다 can be used for animals, such as training a dog to follow a specific command, while 습관 is generally reserved for humans.
Examples in context
- 나쁜 습관을 한번 들이면 쉽게 고칠 수 없다.Once you have formed a bad habit, you can't get rid of it easily.This sentence is useful for discussing how difficult it is to change a bad 습관 once it is formed.Tatoeba #11110786 by intertime, translation #66240 by CK
- 그 사람 밥 먹는 중에 신문 읽는 버릇이 있어.He has the habit of reading the newspaper while he eats.This sentence demonstrates how to use 버릇 to describe a specific behavioral tendency.Tatoeba #4748322 by kimhkng, translation #2394000 by kuma
- 내가 어렸을 때 매일 수영을 하는 습관이 있었다.When I was young, I had a habit of swimming every day.This sentence shows how to describe a routine or habit held in the past using 습관.Tatoeba #10576618 by ssuss32, translation #13803767 by haohao
- 저는 건강한 식습관을 가지려고 노력하고 있어요.I am trying to have healthy eating habits.
- 건강을 위해서라도 흡연 습관은 과감히 버리세요.Even for the sake of your health, you should bravely give up smoking habits.
- 그 사람은 스트레스 받을 때마다 손톱을 깨물고 하는 버릇이 있어.That person has a habit of biting their nails whenever they get stressed.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their daily routines at a cafe.
- 서연 Seo-yeon아침에 물을 마시는 습관이 있어요?Achime muleul masineun seupgwani isseoyo?Do you have a habit of drinking water in the morning?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 건강을 위해서 만든 습관이에요.Ne, geongangeul wihaeseo mandun seupgwani-eyo.Yes, it is a habit I made for my health.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 좋은 습관이네요.Jeongmal joeun seupgwaniyeyo.That is a really good habit.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨도 한번 시작해 보세요.Seoyeon ssi-do hanbeon sijakhae boseyo.Seoyeon, you should try starting it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “habit” translations and entries 습관, 버릇, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 버릇, 습관, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
