custom

Compared meaning: a usual way of behaving (noun).

比较义项：传统／习惯（惯例、习俗）（名词）。

• tradition

  Tradition highlights a valued practice handed down across generations, often tied to family, culture or celebration, carrying emotional or symbolic weight beyond mere habit.

  tradition 强调世代相传、具有情感或文化意义的做法，常与家庭、文化或节庆相关，超越单纯的习惯。

  This recipe has been a family tradition for four generations.

  这道菜谱四代相传，已成为家族传统。

• custom 本词

  Custom describes a widely followed, practical way of behaving in a place or community, often everyday etiquette, without necessarily implying a long generational history.

  custom 指某地或某群体普遍遵循的实际行为方式，常涉及日常礼节，不一定强调世代相传的历史。

  Tipping waiters is not a common custom in Japan.

  在日本，给服务员小费不是常见的习俗。

Tradition and custom both mean a usual way of behaving. Tradition is a practice passed down across generations, tied to family or celebration, with emotional value. Custom is a practical way of behaving common in a place or group. Custom's other meanings are not compared.

tradition 和 custom 在表示“世代相传或社会普遍遵循的行为方式”这一意义上很接近，但 tradition 更强调代代相传、带有情感和文化价值的传承（常与家庭、节日相关），而 custom 更强调某地或某群体普遍遵循的具体行为习惯，语气更中性、实用。这里不比较 custom 表示“定制”（如 custom-made）或复数 customs 表示“海关”的意思。

Compared meaning: an accepted, usual way of doing something (noun).

比较义项：惯常做法／习俗（名词）。

• custom 本词

  A traditional practice of a society, community, or individual, passed down over time; tied to culture, etiquette, or personal habit rather than technical or formal use.

  指社会、群体或个人长期形成并传承下来的传统做法，与文化、礼仪或个人习惯有关，而非技术性或正式的用法。

  It is a custom in this village to light candles every New Year's Eve.

  在这个村子，每年新年前夜点燃蜡烛是一种习俗。

• usage

  An accepted, often formal way of using or doing something, especially language, tools, or resources; describes convention or correctness rather than cultural tradition.

  指某种做法已被公认为惯例，往往较为正式，常涉及语言、工具或资源的使用方式，强调规范或正确性，而非文化传统。

  Formal usage requires 'whom' after a preposition in careful writing.

  按照正式惯例，严谨的写作中介词后要使用“whom”。

Custom and usage both mean an accepted way of doing something. Custom is a traditional practice of a society or person, tied to culture or habit. Usage is an accepted way of using something, especially language or tools. Usage's 'amount used' meaning is not compared.

这两个词都可以表示“惯常的做法”，但 custom 强调社会、群体或个人长期形成并传承下来的传统习俗，多与文化、礼仪相关；usage 强调某种做法已被公认为惯例，常涉及语言、工具或资源的使用方式，语气更正式或专业。这里不比较 usage 表示“用量”（如水的使用量）的意思，也不比较 custom 复数形式 customs 表示“海关”的意思。