Friday 2 January 2015

Costumbre

Today's WOTD is: "costumbre" = custom
In Spanish, “costumbre* is a feminine noun of Latin origin, the main meaning of which is custom, habit or tradition, as in:
  • Tenemos la costumbre de ir a la playa en verano (we are in the habit of going to the beach in the summer);

*NB The plural of this noun should not be used to refer to customs in the context of duty collection which in Spanish is usually known as “aduana”, as in:
  • Hay que pagar los derechos de aduana (customs duty has to be paid)


The action word/ verb “acostumbrar” is a related word, which means to be in the habit of, to tend to, or to get someone in the habit of doing something, as in:
  • Acostumbramos a levantarnos temprano (we are in the habit of getting up early);
  • Nos acostumbraron a levantarnos temprano (they got us in the habit of getting up early);

The describing word/ adjective “acostumbrado”/ “acostumbrada” is also a related word, which means used to, or in the habit of, as in:
  • Estoy acostumbrado a levantarme temprano (I am used to getting up early -male speaking);
  • Estoy acostumbrada a levantarme temprano (I am used to getting up early -female speaking);

Some Spanish expressions with the word “costumbre” are:
  • Como de costumbre (as per usual);
    • Como de costumbre, llegas tarde (as per usual, you are late);
  • Como viene siendo costumbre (as is becoming habit/ fashion);
    • Como viene siendo costumbre, llegas tarde (as it is becoming a habit in you, you are late);
  • Comedia de costumbres (comedy of manners);
  • La fuerza de la costumbre (the force of habit);
  • Tener la costumbre de (to be in the habit of);
    • Tenemos la costumbre de ir a la playa en verano (we are in the habit of going to the beach in the summer);
  • Tener por costumbre (to be in the habit of);
    • Tenemos por costumbre ir a la playa en verano (we are in the habit of going to the beach in the summer);
  • Usos y costumbres (customs and traditions);
    • Respetemos los usos y costumbres de nuestro pueblo (let us respect the customs and traditions of our people)

Love-Spanish.com loves the word "costumbre" in the YouTube clip: Como de Costumbre (En Vivo)

For more on the word "costumbre", visit: Wordreference.com/es/en/ Costumbre

*NB 'Click' on the speaker icon next to the word “costumbre” in the link to hear the word pronounced.

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