Chinese Character: 惯
1. Character Basics
Radical: 忄/xīn (heart), 贯/guàn (thread through)
Stroke Count: 11
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Guàn (Fourth tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Habit; custom; practice; routine; usual practice; established practice; customary practice; usual way of doing things.
Extended Meaning: To be accustomed to; to be used to; to be familiar with; to be in the habit of; to be used to doing something; to be accustomed to a situation; to be familiar with a place or person.
Additional Meanings: To indulge; to spoil; to pamper; to humor; to gratify; to give in to; to cater to; to pander to; to coddle; to mollycoddle; to baby; to spoil someone; to give someone everything they want.
4. Common Words
- 习惯 (xí guàn) - Habit; custom
Example: 我有早起的习惯。 (I have the habit of getting up early.)
- 惯例 (guàn lì) - Custom; usual practice
Example: 这是我们公司的惯例。 (This is our company's usual practice.)
- 惯常 (guàn cháng) - Usual; customary
Example: 他惯常迟到。 (He is usually late.)
- 惯性 (guàn xìng) - Inertia
Example: 惯性使物体保持运动。 (Inertia keeps objects in motion.)
- 娇惯 (jiāo guàn) - To spoil; to pamper
Example: 不要娇惯孩子。 (Don't spoil the child.)
5. Grammar & Usage
Adjective Usage:
- 惯 + 于: To be accustomed to; to be used to
Example: 他惯于早起。 (He is accustomed to getting up early.)
- 习 + 惯: Habit; custom
Example: 这是一个好习惯。 (This is a good habit.)
Verb Usage:
- 惯 + Object: To spoil; to pamper
Example: 不要惯坏孩子。 (Don't spoil the child.)
- 养 + 成 + 习惯: To develop a habit
Example: 养成阅读的习惯很重要。 (It's important to develop the habit of reading.)
Common structures:
- 习惯成自然: Habit becomes second nature
Example: 习惯成自然，坚持下去就会习惯的。 (Habit becomes second nature; you'll get used to it if you persist.)
- 惯性思维: Inertial thinking; habitual thinking
Example: 我们需要打破惯性思维。 (We need to break free from habitual thinking.)
- 惯用语: Idiom; set phrase
Example: 学习中文时，掌握惯用语很重要。 (When learning Chinese, it's important to master idioms.)
6. Cultural Background
The character "惯" (guàn) has significant cultural implications in Chinese society, particularly in relation to the importance of habits and customs in shaping individual and collective behavior.
In traditional Chinese culture, the formation of good habits (好习惯/hǎo xí guàn) has long been emphasized as a fundamental aspect of personal cultivation. This is rooted in Confucian teachings, which stress the importance of self-discipline and moral development through daily practices.
The concept of "惯" is also closely tied to the idea of social norms and cultural traditions. Many Chinese idioms and proverbs reflect this connection, such as "习惯成自然" (xí guàn chéng zì rán - Habit becomes second nature) and "约定俗成" (yuē dìng sú chéng - Established by common practice).
In Chinese parenting, the balance between nurturing and spoiling (娇惯/jiāo guàn) children has been a topic of much discussion. Traditional wisdom suggests that while it's important to care for children, excessive indulgence can lead to negative behaviors.
Today, the character "惯" continues to be relevant in various contexts, from personal development to organizational behavior. It reminds us of the power of habits in shaping our lives and the importance of cultivating positive routines.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
我习惯每天早上跑步。 (Wǒ xí guàn měi tiān zǎo shang pǎo bù.)
I'm used to running every morning.
Example 2:
按照惯例，我们每年都会举行这个活动。 (Àn zhào guàn lì, wǒ men měi nián dōu huì jǔ xíng zhè ge huó dòng.)
According to our usual practice, we hold this event every year.
Example 3:
不要娇惯孩子，这对他们的成长不好。 (Bù yào jiāo guàn hái zi, zhè duì tā men de chéng zhǎng bù hǎo.)
Don't spoil the children; it's not good for their growth.
8. Memory Tips
1. Component Breakdown:
The character "惯" (guàn) is composed of two parts: "忄" (xīn - heart) and "贯" (guàn - thread through). You can remember it as "something that goes through (贯) the heart (忄)" or "habits that are deeply ingrained in one's heart".
2. Phonetic Association:
Think of the English word "guan" (sounds like "gwan") with a falling (fourth) tone. This can help you remember the pronunciation "guàn".
3. Visual Image:
Picture someone doing a routine activity they're used to, such as brushing their teeth or drinking coffee in the morning. This visual can help you associate the character with the concept of habits.
4. Group with Similar Characters:
Associate "惯" with other characters that contain "忄" such as "情" (qíng - feeling), "快" (kuài - fast), and "忙" (máng - busy). This can help you remember that "惯" is related to emotions or inner tendencies.
5. Practice with Common Words:
Write and say words containing "惯" such as "习惯" (habit), "惯例" (custom), and "惯常" (usual). Repetition with context will help solidify your memory of the character.