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"Hábito" is a form of "hábito", a noun which is often translated as "habit". "Costumbre" is a noun which is often translated as "custom". Learn more about the difference between "costumbre" and "hábito" below.
la costumbre(
kohs
-
toom
-
breh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (tradition)
a. custom
Marcos dice que muchas costumbres navideñas son de origen pagano.Marcos says that many Christmas customs are pagan by origin.
2. (behavior)
el hábito(
ah
-
bee
-
toh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (custom)
a. habit
Ya sé que ver tanta tele es un mal hábito, pero me está costando mucho trabajo dejarlo.I know watching so much TV is a bad habit, but giving it up is proving really difficult.
Roberto tiene el hábito de despertarse temprano.Roberto is in the habit of waking up early.
2. (addiction)
a. habit
La cocaína le creó hábito y ahora no puede dejarla.He developed a cocaine habit and now he can't quit it.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
La heroína crea hábito.Heroin is addictive.
Este medicamento no crea hábito, así que no tienes que preocuparte.This drug isn't habit-forming, so there's no need to worry.
a. habit
Las monjas de esta congregación usan hábitos azules.The nuns in this community wear blue habits.
4. (figurative) (nunhood or priesthood)
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
b. holy orders (for men)
El padre Saúl tomó los hábitos después de varios años en el seminario.Father Saúl took holy orders after a number of years at the seminary.
5. (military)
