习以为常
xí yǐ wéi cháng
Become accustomed to · trad. 習以為常
Describes a situation where something, through repeated occurrence, has become a normal and unremarkable part of life. It conveys that what might have once been unusual or noteworthy is now accepted as ordinary.
What does 习以为常 (xí yǐ wéi cháng) mean?
习以为常 (xí yǐ wéi cháng) means "become accustomed to" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "practice takes it as common."
Character by character
- 习 xí practice, habit
- 以 yǐ take as, use as
- 为 wéi be, become
- 常 cháng common, usual
When to use it
Chinese speakers use this when an action, event, or condition is no longer seen as special or requiring attention because it happens so often. It can apply to individuals or groups becoming habituated to a particular routine or circumstance.
Example
他每天早出晚归,家人早已习以为常。
Tā měitiān zǎochūwǎnguī, jiārén zǎoyǐ xí yǐ wéi cháng.
He leaves early and returns late every day; his family has long since gotten used to it.
Pro tip: The phrase highlights how repeated exposure makes something feel normal, often implying a gradual shift in perception rather than a conscious decision to accept it.
Related idioms
五花八门 · Wide variety of things无论如何 · No matter what小心翼翼 · Meticulous carefulness
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