How to say "habit" in Japanese

• 癖くせJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounA person's habits, usually unwanted or quirky ones — fidgeting, biting one's nails — and by extension characteristic tendencies. Usually not the word for neutral daily routines.
  その子こは悪わるい癖くせが直なおった。↗

  He was cured of his bad habits.
• 習慣しゅうかんJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe general word for a habit in the broad sense: a regular practice or routine, good or bad, such as exercising or checking one's phone. The default choice for most senses of 'habit'.
  彼かれはたばこを吸すう習慣しゅうかんをやめた。↗

  He got out of the habit of smoking.
• 習性しゅうせいCommon
  nounHabit as an ingrained pattern of behavior, especially the characteristic habits of animals and plants; by extension a deep-seated tendency in people. Not the usual word for deliberate daily routines.
  清潔せいけつは日本人にほんじんの習性しゅうせいだ。↗

  Cleanliness is proper to the Japanese.
• 慣行かんこうJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCustomary practice: an established way of doing things within a group, community, or field of activity, rather than a personal habit. As a rendering of 'habit' it is marginal — it really means customary practice.
  その慣行かんこうは廃止はいしすべきだ。↗

  The practice should be done away with.
• 習わしならわしCommon
  no-adjectiveA custom or customary practice — a way of doing things observed or handed down in a community or household. For personal habits it is seldom the word you want; it really means custom.

Use 習慣 as the general word for habits; 癖 for personal habits that are bad or quirky; 習性 for the natural habits of living things; and 慣行 and 「習わし」 for customary practices rather than personal habits.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 癖くせhabit (usu. a bad one)
• 習慣しゅうかんhabit
• 習性しゅうせいhabit
• 慣行かんこうcustomary practice
• 習わしならわしcustom
• 常習じょうしゅうcustom
• ハビットhabit
• 修道服しゅうどうふくhabit (garment worn by nuns, monks, friars, etc.)
• 習癖しゅうへき(bad) habit
• 例れいcustom
• 決まりきまりhabit
• 性さがcustom