hábito
/ˈabito/masculine
The Spanish word for 'habit' is hábito.
hábito refers to an action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness.
Meaning: action performed repeatedly and automatically, usually without awareness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While hábito refers to an individual's repetitive behavior, costumbre is used for social customs or traditions. Additionally, rutina is a synonym for 'habit' and usanza is a synonym for 'habit'.
How does it change in a sentence?
hábito is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈabito/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly use hábito to refer to a social custom, but costumbre is the correct term for collective traditions.
Did you know?
- In a religious context, hábito does not mean a repetitive action, but refers to the specific traditional clothing or vestments worn by a monk or nun.
- The word hábito shares its roots with the English word 'have', as both descend from the Latin verb 'habere' which means 'to hold' or 'to have'.
- Spanish speakers use the phrase mala costumbre to describe a bad habit, whereas mal hábito is less common and sounds more clinical.
Examples in context
- ¿Eres un esclavo del hábito?Are you a creature of habit?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is a creature of habit using hábito.Tatoeba #1233181 by marcelostockle, translation #953096 by CK
- No soy un esclavo del hábito.I'm not a creature of habit.This sentence is useful for stating one is not a creature of habit using hábito.Tatoeba #1283477 by marcelostockle, translation #953835 by CK
- Fumar es un hábito asqueroso.Smoking is a disgusting habit.This sentence is useful for describing a disgusting habit using hábito.Tatoeba #5015853 by albrusgher, translation #3596811 by CK
- Tengo el hábito de leer todas las mañanas para mantenerme informado.I have the habit of reading every morning to stay informed.
- En nuestra compañía, es una costumbre realizar una reunión semanal de seguimiento.In our company, it is a habit to have a weekly follow-up meeting.
- María tiene la manía de lavarse las manos constantemente.María has the habit of constantly washing her hands.
- Juan tiene el vicio de fumar después de cada comida.Juan has the habit of smoking after every meal.
- 65 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking about their daily routines at a cafe.
- Javier¿Tienes algún hábito saludable, Elena?Do you have any healthy habit, Elena?
- ElenaSí, mi hábito es caminar cada mañana.Yes, my habit is walking every morning.
- JavierQué bueno, yo quiero tener ese hábito.That's good, I want to have that habit.
- ElenaEs fácil si empiezas poco a poco.It is easy if you start little by little.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “habit” translations and entries hábito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hábito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
