How to say “habit” or “routine” in Japanese | 習慣 (しゅうかん、shūkan)

The Japanese vocabulary「習慣 (しゅうかん、shūkan)」means “habit” or “routine.” Please learn the pronunciation and the example sentences.

Japanese Vocabulary and the Meaning

Key Word習慣
Hiraganaしゅうかん
Romaji Readingshūkan
English Meaninghabit, routine

The Correct Japanese Pronunciations

Please learn the pronunciation by watching the attached video. You can also learn example sentences.

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The Example Japanese Sentences

It is important to have skills in both non-honorific and honorific languages in order to use Japanese correctly.

I want to make daily exercise a habit

Plain Form:

毎日まいにち運動うんどう習慣しゅうかんにしたい。
Mainichi no undō o shūkan ni shitai.

Polite Form:

毎日の運動を習慣にしたいです。
Mainichi no undō o shūkan ni shitai desu.


There is no custom of tipping in Japan.

Plain Form:

日本にほんではチップをはら習慣しゅうかんい。
Nihon de wa chippu o harau shūkan ga nai.

Polite Form:

日本ではチップを払う習慣がありません。
Nihon de wa chippu o harau shūkan ga arimasen.


Out of habit, I wake up at 6 o’clock even on my days off.

Plain Form:

習慣しゅうかんで、やすみのでも六時ろくじにはめる。
Shūkan de, yasumi no hi demo roku-ji ni wa me ga sameru.

Polite Form:

習慣で、休みの日でも六時には目が覚めます。
Shūkan de, yasumi no hi demo roku-ji ni wa a me ga samemasu.


Writing a diary is my daily habit.

Plain Form:

日記にっきくことが毎日まいにち習慣しゅうかんだ。
Nikki o kaku koto ga mainichi no shūkan da.

Polite Form:

日記を書くことが毎日の習慣です。
Nikki o kaku koto ga mainichi no shūkan desu.

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