相沿成习
Follow the old custom
Wörtlich: Mutually (相) follow (沿) become (成) custom (习)
Use this to describe long-standing traditions or social habits that evolved naturally over many generations.
In 15 Sekunden
- Traditions passed down through time.
- Behaviors that became standard through repetition.
- The 'this is how we do it' phrase.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes how a specific behavior or way of doing things is passed down through generations until it becomes an established habit or custom. It captures that 'this is just how we've always done it' feeling.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Explaining a local festival
过年贴春联是相沿成习的传统。
Pasting spring couplets during New Year is a tradition followed for generations.
Discussing office culture
周五下午早点下班，在公司里已经相沿成习了。
Leaving early on Friday afternoons has become an established custom in the company.
Talking about family quirks
我们家初一吃饺子是相沿成习的规矩。
Eating dumplings on the first day of the year is a long-standing family custom.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression stems from the traditional Chinese emphasis on 'Li' (ritual and propriety). It highlights how social order is maintained through shared habits rather than just written laws. It became a staple in historical texts to explain the evolution of regional folkways.
The 'Unwritten' Rule
This phrase is perfect for those 'unwritten rules' that everyone follows but no one can find in a handbook. It adds a poetic touch to mundane habits.
Don't use for bad habits
While you *can* use it for negative things, it usually carries a neutral or respectful tone. Using it for 'biting nails' sounds weirdly epic and sarcastic.
In 15 Sekunden
- Traditions passed down through time.
- Behaviors that became standard through repetition.
- The 'this is how we do it' phrase.
What It Means
相沿成习 describes the organic process of tradition. It starts with one person or group. Others follow suit over time. Eventually, it becomes the 'standard' way to act. It is about the power of momentum in culture. It implies a long history behind a simple action.
How To Use It
Use it as a verb phrase or a descriptive noun. You can say a behavior has 相沿成习. It often describes social norms or family traditions. It works well when explaining why a certain rule exists. Even if the rule seems a bit weird now! Use it to bridge the past and present.
When To Use It
Use it when discussing holiday traditions like Lunar New Year. It is perfect for explaining office culture to a new hire. Use it when talking about local village superstitions. It fits well in academic writing about sociology. It also works in deep late-night chats about family quirks. It adds a touch of sophistication to your observations.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for brand-new trends. If everyone started wearing neon green yesterday, that is not 相沿成习. Avoid it for forced, top-down rules. This phrase implies a natural, bottom-up evolution. Don't use it for personal habits like biting your nails. It needs a collective, social element to feel right.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture deeply values continuity and lineage. This phrase reflects the respect for 'the way of the ancestors.' It suggests that customs have a life of their own. Many Chinese festivals are kept alive through this exact process. It is the 'glue' that keeps a community's identity intact across centuries. It is why your grandma insists on specific soup on specific days!
Common Variations
约定俗成 is a very close cousin. That one focuses more on things being 'agreed upon' by the public. 相沿成习 focuses more on the 'following' and the 'passage of time.' You might also hear 积久成习. That emphasizes the long duration even more. Stick to 相沿成习 for a more literary, elegant feel.
Nutzungshinweise
The phrase is C2 level because it requires an understanding of nuanced cultural continuity. It is best used in formal writing, speeches, or when discussing cultural heritage.
The 'Unwritten' Rule
This phrase is perfect for those 'unwritten rules' that everyone follows but no one can find in a handbook. It adds a poetic touch to mundane habits.
Don't use for bad habits
While you *can* use it for negative things, it usually carries a neutral or respectful tone. Using it for 'biting nails' sounds weirdly epic and sarcastic.
The Power of 'Xi' (习)
In Chinese, `习` (practice/habit) is the same character used in 'learning' (`学习`). This phrase implies that customs are things we 'learn' by 'doing' together.
Beispiele
6过年贴春联是相沿成习的传统。
Pasting spring couplets during New Year is a tradition followed for generations.
Describes a major cultural custom using the phrase as an adjective.
周五下午早点下班，在公司里已经相沿成习了。
Leaving early on Friday afternoons has become an established custom in the company.
Shows the phrase used in a modern, professional yet relaxed setting.
我们家初一吃饺子是相沿成习的规矩。
Eating dumplings on the first day of the year is a long-standing family custom.
Applies the formal phrase to a warm, personal family context.
这种礼仪在当地相沿成习，具有很强的约束力。
This etiquette has become a custom locally and carries strong binding force.
Demonstrates the phrase's utility in a formal, analytical context.
大家都不好意思先动筷子，这都相沿成习了。
Everyone is too shy to be the first to eat; it's just become the custom now.
Uses the phrase to poke fun at social awkwardness that has become 'tradition'.
村里人对这座山的敬畏是相沿成习的。
The villagers' awe of this mountain is a custom passed down through time.
Captures a sense of deep-rooted belief and cultural continuity.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to describe a long-standing social habit.
这种庆祝方式在民间已经___，流传至今。
`相沿成习` means a custom followed over time, which fits 'passed down to this day' perfectly.
Complete the sentence about a company's culture.
虽然没有明文规定，但大家午休一小时已经___。
Even without written rules, an unwritten habit among a group is best described by `相沿成习`.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of Custom Phrases
Just a habit
老习惯 (Lǎo xíguàn)
Common practice
惯例 (Guànlì)
Established custom
相沿成习 (Xiāngyán chéngxí)
Institutionalized tradition
承袭旧制 (Chéngxí jiùzhì)
Where to use 相沿成习
Family Dinners
Seating arrangements
Village Life
Local festivals
Office Culture
Unwritten tea breaks
History Class
Ancient rituals
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all! You can use it for modern things like 'Friday casual dress' if it has been happening long enough to feel like a tradition.
It's better not to. 相沿成习 implies a collective behavior. For your own coffee routine, just use 个人习惯 (personal habit).
约定俗成 means people have collectively agreed on a meaning or way (like language), while 相沿成习 emphasizes the historical following of a path.
It's mostly neutral. However, in modern contexts, it can slightly imply that a custom is old-fashioned or hard to change.
You can use it as a predicate: 这种做法已经相沿成习。 (This practice has already become a custom.)
Yes, it's quite professional. It shows you have a deep understanding of the company's long-standing culture.
Not necessarily. It just implies it is persistent. Whether the custom is 'good' depends on the context of your conversation.
It is more common in written Chinese or formal speeches, but educated speakers use it in serious conversations too.
It means 'mutually' or 'one after another,' showing how the habit passed from person to person over time.
No, trends are too fast. 相沿成习 requires the 'test of time' to be accurate.
Verwandte Redewendungen
约定俗成 (Accepted through common practice)
积习难改 (Deep-rooted habits are hard to change)
陈规陋习 (Outmoded conventions and bad customs)
风俗习惯 (Customs and habits)
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