VOA慢速英语2019 “Habit”、“Custom” 和“Tradition”的区别

Habits, Customs¹ and Traditions - How Are They Different?

This week we answer a question from Ashraf in Egypt.

本周我们将回答来自埃及的阿什拉夫的提问。 

He writes, “Can you explain the difference between habit, custom and tradition?”

他写道：“您可以解释一下‘habit’（习惯）、‘custom’（习俗） 和‘tradition’（传统）的区别吗？” 

Dear Ashraf,Great question. All three words relate to actions that are done repeatedly². The difference is that traditions and customs are practiced over a long period by many people. A habit is more informal³, and is usually limited to one person.

亲爱的阿什拉夫：这是个好问题。这三个词都与反复进行的行为有关。区别在于，“tradition” 和“custom”指在很长一段时间内经过很多人实践。而“habit”是非正式的，通常仅限于一个人。

Let’s talk more about traditions and customs first. Traditions can include what most people in a country do on holidays.

让我们先谈谈“tradition”和“custom”。“tradition”可以包括一个国家的大多数人在节假日做的事情。 

For example:“Sharing a meal with turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition in the United⁴ States.”

例如：“分享火鸡美食是美国的感恩节传统（tradition）。” 

Or: “Fireworks are part of America’s July 4th holiday tradition.”

或者：“放烟花属于美国7月4日的假日传统（tradition）。” 

Customs are also usual ways of behaving. But they are not as old as traditions, and they are practiced by fewer people.

“custom”也是指通常的行为方式。但“custom”不像“tradition”那么古老，而且践行的人相对较少。 

Here is an example:“In the American workplace⁵, it is the custom to shake people’s hands when you first meet them"

比如：“在美国的工作场所，握手是人们首次见面时的习俗（custom）。” 

When a custom continues from generation to generation, it becomes a tradition.

当一个习俗（custom）代代相传，就成了一种传统（tradition）。 

“For fifty years, my grandparents had a custom of swimming in the lake on the first day of summer. Now my aunts, uncles, parents, and cousins do it, too. ‘Summer swim’ is our family tradition.”

“五十年来，我的祖父母保持着一个习俗（custom），那就是在夏季来临的第一天到湖里游泳。现在我的父母、叔叔阿姨以及表兄弟姐妹也都这样做。 ‘夏日游泳’成为我们的家庭传统（tradition）。”

In comparison⁶, habits are about just one person’s behavior. A habit is something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way.

相比之下，“habit”只是一个人的行为。“habit”指一个人经常规律性地重复做某件事。 

Here is an example:“When she reads the newspaper, Jane makes it a habit to look at the weather first.”

比如：“简读报纸时，养成了先看天气的习惯（habit）。” 

We hope you will make it a habit to visit our website every day!

我们希望大家可以养成习惯，每天访问我们的网站！ 

And That’s Ask a Teacher!

以上就是本期《名师答疑》的全部内容！ 

1 customs   

n.海关，关税

参考例句：

• The customs officials turned the man over to the French police.海关官员把那个人移交给了法国警察。
• They are collecting customs.他们正在收缴关税。

2 repeatedly   

adv.重复地，再三地

参考例句：

• The loudspeakers blared the speech repeatedly.扬声器里反复大声地播送那篇演讲。
• He repeatedly beat his foot upon the floor.他反复用脚敲着地板。

3 informal   

adj.非正式的，不拘礼的，通俗的

参考例句：

• I got an informal reception.我受到了非正式接待。
• The leaders met over informal lunches.领袖们在非正式午餐时进行会晤。

4 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

5 workplace   

n.工作面(工作位置，车间，工厂)

参考例句：

• A workplace where ships are built or repaired.制造和修理船的工厂。
• Training can make people get along in the workplace.培训能让人们在工作场所和睦相处。

6 comparison   

n.比较，对照；比拟，比喻

参考例句：

• They make a comparison of New York to a beehive.他们把纽约比作一个蜂巢。
• This dress is really cheaper by comparison.比较起来，这件衣服确实便宜。