Inklingo
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costumbre

/cohs-TOOM-breh/

habit

A young person easily slipping their foot into a well-worn running shoe next to a closed front door, illustrating a daily exercise habit.

Costumbre refers to a personal routine or habit, like putting on running shoes every day.

costumbre(noun)

fA1

habit

?

personal routine

,

custom

?

repeated personal practice

Also:

routine

?

daily actions

📝 In Action

Tengo la costumbre de leer antes de dormir.

A1

I have the habit of reading before sleeping.

Es mi costumbre tomar un vaso de agua al levantarme.

A2

It is my custom to drink a glass of water when I wake up.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hábito (habit)
  • rutina (routine)

Common Collocations

  • tener la costumbre – to have the habit
  • perder la costumbre – to lose the habit

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Remember that 'costumbre' is always feminine, even though it ends in '-e.' You must use 'la' or 'una' with it (e.g., 'la costumbre').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Incorrect Gender

Mistake: "El costumbre de mi abuela..."

Correction: La costumbre de mi abuela... (Always use the feminine article 'la').

⭐ Usage Tips

Costumbre vs. Hábito

For personal routines, 'costumbre' and 'hábito' are often interchangeable. 'Costumbre' tends to emphasize the established nature of the practice.

A colorful storybook illustration showing an older woman and a young child sitting at a table, jointly decorating a large, intricately shaped cultural pastry.

A tradition (costumbre) is a social or cultural practice passed down through generations.

costumbre(noun)

fB1

tradition

?

social or cultural practice

,

convention

?

accepted societal practice

Also:

practice

?

established way of doing things

📝 In Action

Es una costumbre muy antigua en este pueblo.

B1

It is a very old tradition in this town.

Las costumbres sociales varían mucho entre países.

B2

Social conventions vary greatly between countries.

Como de costumbre, la oficina estaba cerrada a esa hora.

B1

As usual, the office was closed at that time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tradición (tradition)
  • práctica (practice)

Common Collocations

  • las buenas costumbres – good manners/morals
  • costumbres locales – local customs

Idioms & Expressions

  • como de costumbre – as usual; following the expected routine

💡 Grammar Points

Plural Usage

When talking about general societal rules or manners, you often use the plural: 'las costumbres' (the customs/manners).

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Contexts

In more formal contexts, 'costumbre' can refer to accepted moral standards or etiquette, such as 'mantener las buenas costumbres' (to maintain good morals).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: costumbre

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'costumbre' to describe a *social tradition* rather than a *personal routine*?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

acostumbrar(to get used to; to accustom) - verb
acostumbrado(accustomed; used to) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'costumbre' feminine, even though it ends in -e?

'Costumbre' is one of those Spanish words that simply took on the feminine gender from its Latin root (*consuetudo*, which was feminine), even though many words ending in '-e' are masculine. You must always use 'la' or 'una' with it.

How is 'costumbre' different from the verb 'acostumbrar'?

'Costumbre' is the noun (the habit itself). 'Acostumbrar' is the verb, meaning 'to get used to' or 'to accustom someone else.' They are part of the same word family!