Diese Seite in deiner Sprache

English

فارسی

العربية

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 noun 10 Min. Lesezeit

coutume

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps coutume in 30 Sekunden

Erklärung coutume in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should recognize 'coutume' as a word related to traditions and habits. Think of it as 'what people usually do' in a group. You might see it in simple sentences about holidays or family life. For example, 'La coutume de Noël' (The Christmas custom). You don't need to master complex phrases yet, but you should know it is a feminine noun (la coutume). It is often used to describe simple cultural facts about France, like 'la bise'. You might confuse it with 'habitude' (habit), which is fine at this stage, but try to remember that 'coutume' is usually for a group of people, not just one person. It's a useful word to know when you are learning about French culture for the first time, as it helps you describe the unique things people do in different parts of the world. Just remember the basic meaning: a shared tradition.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the A2 level, you can start using 'coutume' in basic sentences to describe social practices. You should be familiar with the phrase 'C'est la coutume' (It is the custom) and be able to use it with simple adjectives like 'locale' or 'ancienne'. This is the stage where you learn to distinguish 'coutume' from 'costume' (a suit). You can use 'coutume' to talk about your own family traditions or the traditions of your country when speaking with French people. For instance, 'Dans mon pays, la coutume est de...' (In my country, the custom is to...). You should also recognize the common idiom 'Une fois n'est pas coutume', which is used when someone does something they don't usually do. Understanding 'coutume' at this level allows you to engage more deeply with cultural topics and show respect for French social norms.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'coutume' in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'avoir pour coutume de + infinitive'. You can use this to describe routines with a bit more formality and flair. You will start to see 'coutume' in news articles, travel blogs, and short stories. You should understand the difference between 'coutume', 'habitude', and 'tradition'. At this level, you can discuss the importance of preserving customs in a globalized world or compare the customs of different regions in France. You should also be able to use the phrase 'comme de coutume' instead of just 'comme d'habitude' to vary your vocabulary. Your understanding of the word should move beyond just 'tradition' to include the idea of social expectations and unwritten rules that govern how people interact in a community.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the B2 level, you should understand the sociological and historical weight of 'coutume'. You can use it to discuss 'les us et coutumes' of a society and explain how these practices evolve over time. You should be able to follow discussions about 'le droit coutumier' (customary law) and understand how it differs from written law. In your writing, you can use 'coutume' to add nuance to your arguments about culture and identity. You should be sensitive to the register of the word—it is slightly more formal than 'habitude' and can be used to evoke a sense of heritage or social pressure. You can analyze how 'coutumes' shape the 'mœurs' of a society. Your ability to use 'coutume' correctly in various contexts will demonstrate a high level of cultural integration and linguistic sophistication.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C1 level, you can use 'coutume' with precision in academic and professional contexts. You understand its role in legal history and its significance in anthropological studies. You can use phrases like 'passer en coutume' to describe the process of a practice becoming an established norm. You are able to appreciate the literary use of the word in classical French texts and can use it yourself to create specific stylistic effects in your own writing. You can debate the tension between 'la coutume' and modern legislation, and you understand the subtle differences between 'coutume', 'usage', and 'pratique'. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'coutume' as a tool for deep cultural analysis, recognizing that it represents the intersection of history, law, and social behavior.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'coutume' and all its nuances. You can explore the philosophical implications of 'coutume' as a source of social order and individual identity. You are familiar with its use in complex legal theory and can discuss the nuances of 'coutume' versus 'loi' in historical contexts. You can use the word in highly sophisticated literary or rhetorical ways, playing with its connotations of permanence and social duty. You understand the etymological roots and how the word has shifted in meaning over centuries. For a C2 learner, 'coutume' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a concept through which you can analyze the very fabric of French society and human civilization. You can use it effortlessly in any register, from high-level academic discourse to witty, idiomatic conversation.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

coutume in 30 Sekunden

A feminine noun meaning 'custom' or 'tradition'.
Refers to collective social habits rather than individual ones.
Commonly used in phrases like 'selon la coutume' and 'avoir pour coutume de'.
Distinguished from 'costume' (suit) and 'habitude' (personal habit).

The French word coutume is a feminine noun that translates most directly to 'custom' or 'tradition' in English. It refers to a long-established practice or a way of behaving that is specific to a particular society, place, or time. While it shares some conceptual space with 'habitude' (habit), coutume carries a much stronger weight of collective history and social expectation. It is not just something one person does repeatedly; it is something a group of people has done for generations.

Social Context: In France, coutume is often used to describe regional traditions, such as specific festivals in Brittany or culinary practices in Provence. It implies a sense of belonging and cultural identity.

C'est la coutume locale de s'offrir du muguet le premier mai.

Translation: It is the local custom to give lily of the valley on May 1st.

Historically, coutume also has a legal dimension. Before the Napoleonic Code unified French law, different regions operated under 'droit coutumier' (customary law). This historical root gives the word a sense of formality and unwritten rules that are nonetheless binding in a social sense. When you use this word, you are often talking about the 'unwritten rules' of a culture.

You will encounter this word in literature, news reports about festivals, and in daily conversation when discussing social etiquette. For example, if you are unsure how to behave at a French wedding, you might ask about the local coutumes. It evokes a sense of respect for the past and the community.

Frequency of Use: It is a common word at the A2 level and above. While beginners might use 'tradition' (which also exists in French), 'coutume' sounds more natural when discussing specific behavioral norms.

Selon la coutume, les mariés ne doivent pas se voir avant la cérémonie.

In a broader sense, 'coutume' can also refer to an individual's personal routine if it is very established, though 'habitude' is more common for personal quirks. When used for an individual, it often takes the form 'avoir pour coutume de' (to be in the habit of / to traditionally do). This phrasing adds a layer of dignity or ritual to the action.

Cultural Nuance: The French take pride in their 'terroir' and local 'coutumes'. Understanding these is key to integrating into French society, especially in rural areas where traditions are held dear.

Chaque pays a ses propres coutumes culinaires.

In summary, 'coutume' is the glue that holds cultural practices together. It is more than a habit; it is a shared heritage. Whether you are talking about the way people greet each other (la bise) or the way a village celebrates its patron saint, 'coutume' is the essential term to describe these collective behaviors.

Using coutume correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a feminine noun and the specific prepositions that often accompany it. It most frequently appears as the subject or object of a sentence, or within fixed prepositional phrases that set the stage for a description of a behavior.

Common Structure: 'Selon la coutume': This means 'according to custom' or 'as is the custom.' It is used at the beginning of a sentence to explain why something is being done in a particular way.

Selon la coutume, nous mangeons des crêpes pour la Chandeleur.

Another very common structure is 'avoir pour coutume de + infinitive'. This is a more formal way of saying 'to usually do' or 'to have the habit of doing.' It suggests that the action is not just a random habit but a deliberate, perhaps even ritualistic, practice.

You can also use 'coutume' with adjectives to specify the type of custom. Common adjectives include ancestrale (ancestral), locale (local), étrange (strange), or établie (established). Note that since 'coutume' is feminine, the adjectives must also be in the feminine form.

Adjective Agreement: Une coutume ancienne (An old custom). Les coutumes locales (Local customs). Notice how the adjective follows the noun.

Ils respectent scrupuleusement cette coutume ancestrale.

In a legal or sociological context, you might hear the phrase 'passer en coutume', which means something has been done for so long that it has become a custom or an unwritten rule. This highlights the evolutionary nature of the word—it represents time and repetition turning into law or social requirement.

Negative Usage: If something is not standard, you can say: 'Ce n'est pas dans la coutume de...' (It's not in the custom of...).

Il n'est pas de coutume de porter du blanc à un enterrement en France.

Finally, remember the difference between 'la coutume' (the custom) and 'de coutume' (customarily). Using 'comme de coutume' is a sophisticated way to say 'as usual'. It sounds slightly more polished than 'comme d'habitude' and is perfect for formal writing or storytelling.

The word coutume is omnipresent in French life, appearing in contexts ranging from casual family gatherings to formal legal documents. Understanding where you will hear it will help you grasp its different shades of meaning.

Family and Social Gatherings: During holidays like Noël (Christmas) or Pâques (Easter), you will hear elders explaining traditions to children. They might say, 'C'est la coutume dans notre famille de...' (It's the custom in our family to...).

Maman dit que c'est la coutume de laisser des biscuits pour le Père Noël.

In the media, especially during regional festivals (les fêtes votives), journalists will use 'coutume' to describe the historical background of the events. If you watch a documentary about the 'Carnaval de Dunkerque' or the 'Fête des Lumières' in Lyon, the word will appear frequently to explain the symbolic actions of the participants.

In French literature, 'coutume' is a staple. Classic authors like Balzac or Flaubert used it to describe the social rigidities of their time. In modern literature, it's often used to contrast modern life with traditional values. If you are reading a French novel, pay attention to how the word sets the atmosphere of a community.

Legal and Formal Contexts: While most modern laws are codified, 'le droit coutumier' (customary law) is still a topic in legal studies and international law. You might hear this in news reports about indigenous rights or historical land disputes.

L'avocat a invoqué la coutume pour justifier le droit de passage.

Travel guides and cultural blogs are another rich source. When an author explains 'la bise' (the French greeting) or the etiquette of a French dinner party, they will likely use 'coutume' to emphasize that these are not just suggestions, but deeply rooted cultural expectations.

Finally, in everyday conversation, if someone does something slightly out of character, they might jokingly say, 'Une fois n'est pas coutume!' as they pour a second glass of wine or skip a gym session. It's a lighthearted way to acknowledge that they are breaking their usual routine.

For English speakers, the most common pitfall with the word coutume is its phonetic and orthographic similarity to other words, as well as nuanced differences from its English cognate 'custom'.

Mistake 1: Coutume vs. Costume: This is the 'classic' error. In English, 'costume' is clothing. In French, 'un costume' is a man's suit. 'Coutume' is a tradition. Do not say 'J'aime ta coutume' if you like someone's outfit!

Faux pas: 'Il porte une belle coutume.' (He is wearing a beautiful custom.) Correct: 'Il porte un beau costume.'

Another mistake is using coutume when you actually mean habitude. While they are related, 'habitude' is for individual, repetitive actions (like drinking coffee every morning). 'Coutume' is for social, collective practices. If you say 'C'est ma coutume de courir le matin,' it sounds a bit too grand, as if your morning run is a sacred ritual of your tribe.

Gender errors are also frequent. Coutume is feminine (la coutume). Learners often mistakenly make it masculine because many French nouns ending in '-me' (like 'le problème', 'le système') are masculine. However, 'coutume' follows the rule for many '-ume' words being feminine (like 'l'amertume').

Mistake 2: Wrong Gender: Incorrect: 'Le coutume est important.' Correct: 'La coutume est importante.'

Elle respecte la coutume locale.

Watch out for the preposition in the phrase 'avoir pour coutume de'. Learners often forget the 'pour' or the 'de'. You cannot say 'J'ai coutume lire'; it must be 'J'ai pour coutume de lire'.

Lastly, don't confuse 'coutume' with 'clientèle' or 'achalandage' when talking about business. In English, 'custom' can mean 'customers' or 'business patronage' (e.g., 'Thank you for your custom'). In French, 'coutume' never refers to business transactions or customers. For that, use 'la clientèle'.

To truly master coutume, you should understand how it relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Choosing the right word can change the tone of your sentence from casual to academic.

Tradition vs. Coutume: 'Tradition' is the most common synonym. While often interchangeable, 'tradition' often implies a longer historical arc and a more formal transmission (e.g., religious traditions). 'Coutume' is more about the practice itself and social behavior.

La tradition veut que l'on chante à minuit, mais la coutume de ce village est de danser.

Habitude is the word for 'habit'. Use this for personal routines. If you do it because you personally like it, it's an 'habitude'. If you do it because everyone in your culture does it, it's a 'coutume'.

Another interesting word is mœurs (always plural). This refers to the 'morals' or 'customs' of a people in a broader, more sociological sense. It encompasses the general way of life and moral standards of a society.

Comparison Table

Habitude: Personal, repetitive.
Coutume: Social, traditional practice.
Tradition: Long-term cultural heritage.
Usage: Formal/Technical accepted practice.
Mœurs: Social habits and moral conduct.

Les mœurs de l'époque étaient très différentes des nôtres.

Finally, consider the word rite (ritual). While a 'coutume' is a general practice, a 'rite' is a specific, often symbolic or religious ceremony. A wedding has many 'coutumes' (like the dress), but the exchange of rings is a 'rite'.

In summary, choose 'coutume' when you want to highlight the social and behavioral aspect of a tradition. It sits perfectly between the personal 'habitude' and the grand, historical 'tradition'.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'coutume' and the English word 'custom' share the same Latin root. However, 'costume' (clothing) comes from the same root via Italian, where it originally meant 'customary dress'.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ku.tym/

US /ku.tym/

The stress is equal on both syllables, with a slight lengthening of the second syllable.

Reimt sich auf

amertume enclume plume brume bitume écume légume allume

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing it like 'costume' (adding an 's').
Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'oo' in 'room'.
Making it sound like 'custom' (English pronunciation).
Confusing the gender and using 'le'.
Dropping the final 'm' sound.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially if you know the English 'custom'.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires attention to gender (feminine) and specific prepositions like 'pour' in 'avoir pour coutume'.

Sprechen 3/5

The French 'u' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Hören 2/5

Distinct enough from other words, provided you don't confuse it with 'costume'.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

habitude tradition fête gens toujours

Als Nächstes lernen

mœurs usage rite patrimoine folklore

Fortgeschritten

opinio juris consuétude atavisme acculturation ethnocentrisme

Wichtige Grammatik

Feminine nouns ending in -ume

La coutume, l'amertume, l'enclume.

Avoir pour coutume de + Infinitive

Il a pour coutume de manger tôt.

Adjective placement (usually after the noun)

Une coutume locale.

Using 'de' after 'il est de coutume'

Il est de coutume de se lever.

Pluralization of nouns ending in -e

Une coutume -> des coutumes.

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

C'est une vieille coutume.

It's an old custom.

Noun + Adjective agreement (feminine).

La coutume est de manger du gâteau.

The custom is to eat cake.

Subject + Verb 'être'.

Quelle est la coutume ici ?

What is the custom here?

Interrogative sentence.

C'est la coutume de ma famille.

It's my family's custom.

Possessive 'de ma famille'.

Nous aimons cette coutume.

We like this custom.

Direct object with demonstrative adjective 'cette'.

La coutume change avec le temps.

Custom changes with time.

Present tense verb 'change'.

C'est une coutume française.

It's a French custom.

Adjective 'française' follows the noun.

Il respecte la coutume.

He respects the custom.

Simple Subject-Verb-Object.

Selon la coutume, on offre des fleurs.

According to custom, we give flowers.

Fixed phrase 'Selon la coutume'.

Une fois n'est pas coutume, je prends un dessert.

Just this once, I'm having dessert.

Idiomatic expression.

Chaque région a ses propres coutumes.

Each region has its own customs.

Plural noun 'coutumes'.

Il est de coutume de saluer ses voisins.

It is customary to greet one's neighbors.

Structure 'Il est de coutume de'.

Cette coutume est très ancienne.

This custom is very old.

Adjective 'ancienne' (feminine).

Nous suivons la coutume locale.

We follow the local custom.

Adjective 'locale'.

Est-ce une coutume religieuse ?

Is it a religious custom?

Inversion for question.

Elle connaît bien les coutumes du village.

She knows the village customs well.

Possessive 'du village'.

Il a pour coutume de se lever à l'aube.

He has the custom of waking up at dawn.

Phrase 'avoir pour coutume de'.

Comme de coutume, il est arrivé en retard.

As usual, he arrived late.

Phrase 'Comme de coutume'.

Il faut respecter les coutumes des autres.

One must respect others' customs.

Impersonal 'Il faut'.

La coutume veut que le plus jeune commence.

Custom dictates that the youngest starts.

Personification 'La coutume veut que'.

C'est une coutume qui se perd peu à peu.

It's a custom that is slowly being lost.

Relative clause 'qui se perd'.

Ils ont gardé cette coutume malgré la modernité.

They kept this custom despite modernity.

Preposition 'malgré'.

Quelle coutume trouvez-vous la plus étrange ?

Which custom do you find the strangest?

Interrogative adjective 'Quelle'.

La coutume impose le silence dans ce lieu.

Custom imposes silence in this place.

Verb 'imposer'.

Les us et coutumes de ce pays sont fascinants.

The ways and customs of this country are fascinating.

Set phrase 'us et coutumes'.

La coutume a force de loi dans certaines sociétés.

Custom has the force of law in some societies.

Legal expression 'avoir force de loi'.

Il s'est vite adapté aux coutumes locales.

He quickly adapted to local customs.

Pronominal verb 's'adapter à'.

Cette pratique est passée en coutume au fil des ans.

This practice has become a custom over the years.

Expression 'passer en coutume'.

On ne peut ignorer le poids de la coutume.

One cannot ignore the weight of custom.

Metaphorical 'le poids de'.

La coutume varie d'une province à l'autre.

Custom varies from one province to another.

Structure 'varier de... à...'.

C'est une coutume héritée de nos ancêtres.

It's a custom inherited from our ancestors.

Past participle 'héritée' as adjective.

La coutume encadre les relations sociales.

Custom frames social relations.

Verb 'encadrer'.

Le droit coutumier reste un sujet de recherche majeur.

Customary law remains a major research topic.

Adjective 'coutumier' (derived from coutume).

La coutume s'ancre profondément dans l'inconscient collectif.

Custom is deeply anchored in the collective unconscious.

Pronominal verb 's'ancrer'.

Il a bravé la coutume pour imposer sa vision.

He defied custom to impose his vision.

Verb 'braver'.

La pérennité de cette coutume est remise en cause.

The durability of this custom is being questioned.

Noun 'pérennité'.

L'anthropologue étudie les coutumes funéraires.

The anthropologist studies funeral customs.

Specific adjective 'funéraires'.

La coutume sert de régulateur social.

Custom serves as a social regulator.

Phrase 'servir de'.

Elle a analysé la coutume sous un angle nouveau.

She analyzed the custom from a new angle.

Prepositional phrase 'sous un angle'.

La coutume est le reflet d'une identité partagée.

Custom is the reflection of a shared identity.

Metaphorical 'reflet'.

La coutume, bien que non écrite, possède une autorité coercitive.

Custom, although unwritten, possesses a coercive authority.

Conjunction 'bien que' + subjunctive (implied).

L'obsolescence des coutumes est le corollaire de la modernité.

The obsolescence of customs is the corollary of modernity.

Sophisticated nouns 'obsolescence' and 'corollaire'.

On assiste à une réinvention des coutumes ancestrales.

We are witnessing a reinvention of ancestral customs.

Noun 'réinvention'.

La coutume cristallise les valeurs d'une époque révolue.

Custom crystallizes the values of a bygone era.

Verb 'cristalliser'.

L'herméneutique de la coutume révèle des tensions sous-jacentes.

The hermeneutics of custom reveal underlying tensions.

Academic term 'herméneutique'.

La coutume s'oppose parfois frontalement à la législation positive.

Custom sometimes directly opposes positive legislation.

Adverb 'frontalement' and term 'législation positive'.

La transgression de la coutume entraîne l'ostracisme.

The transgression of custom leads to ostracism.

Sophisticated terms 'transgression' and 'ostracisme'.

La coutume est le terreau sur lequel s'édifie la culture.

Custom is the soil on which culture is built.

Metaphor 'terreau' and verb 's'édifier'.

Häufige Kollokationen

coutume locale

selon la coutume

avoir pour coutume de

us et coutumes

coutume ancestrale

droit coutumier

force de coutume

comme de coutume

passer en coutume

rompre avec la coutume

Häufige Phrasen

Une fois n'est pas coutume

— Meaning 'just this once' or 'once doesn't make a habit'. Used when doing something out of the ordinary.

Une fois n'est pas coutume, je vais prendre un taxi.

Il est de coutume de

— It is customary to. Used to describe a standard social practice.

Il est de coutume de laisser un pourboire.

Selon la coutume

— According to custom. Used to introduce a tradition.

Selon la coutume, on s'offre du muguet le 1er mai.

Comme de coutume

— As usual. A slightly more formal alternative to 'comme d'habitude'.

Comme de coutume, la réunion a commencé en retard.

Avoir pour coutume de

— To have the habit of. Used for well-established routines.

Mon grand-père avait pour coutume de fumer la pipe.

Les us et coutumes

— Ways and customs. Refers to the collective habits of a group.

Les us et coutumes varient d'un pays à l'autre.

Faire coutume

— To become a custom. To be done so often it is expected.

Cette petite fête a fini par faire coutume.

Dans la coutume

— Within the tradition. Part of the established way of doing things.

Ce n'est pas dans la coutume de se marier en noir.

Contre la coutume

— Against custom. Something that breaks tradition.

Agir contre la coutume peut choquer les anciens.

Respecter la coutume

— To respect/follow the tradition.

Il est important de respecter la coutume locale.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

coutume vs costume

A 'costume' is a suit or an outfit. A 'coutume' is a tradition.

coutume vs habitude

An 'habitude' is an individual habit. A 'coutume' is a collective one.

coutume vs tradition

While similar, 'tradition' often feels more grand or religious, whereas 'coutume' is more about social behavior.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Une fois n'est pas coutume"

— Just this once; one exception does not establish a rule.

Allez, une fois n'est pas coutume, je t'invite !

informal/neutral

"Avoir force de coutume"

— To have the strength of custom; to be as binding as a law.

Cet usage a maintenant force de coutume dans l'entreprise.

formal

"Passer en coutume"

— To become a standard practice or tradition.

L'apéritif du vendredi est passé en coutume chez nous.

neutral

"Il est de coutume de..."

— It is the standard/traditional thing to do.

Il est de coutume de remercier après un dîner.

neutral

"Us et coutumes"

— The overall ways and traditions of a group.

Elle étudie les us et coutumes des tribus nomades.

formal/academic

"Comme de coutume"

— As is usually the case.

Comme de coutume, il a plu toute la journée.

neutral

"Rompre la coutume"

— To break with tradition or a long-standing habit.

Ils ont rompu la coutume en voyageant à Noël.

neutral

"La coutume veut que..."

— Custom dictates that...

La coutume veut que l'on apporte des fleurs à l'hôtesse.

neutral

"Prendre coutume"

— To start becoming a habit or tradition.

Le café après le repas a fini par prendre coutume.

neutral

"C'est la coutume"

— That's just how things are done; it's the tradition.

Pourquoi font-ils ça ? - C'est la coutume.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

coutume vs costume

Phonetic similarity and English 'costume' vs 'custom'.

In French, 'costume' is a man's suit. 'Coutume' is a custom. They are never interchangeable.

Il a mis son plus beau costume pour respecter la coutume du mariage.

coutume vs habitude

Both mean 'habit' in some sense.

Habitude is personal; coutume is social. You have an habitude of drinking coffee; a village has a coutume of a festival.

C'est mon habitude, mais c'est aussi la coutume du pays.

coutume vs clientèle

English 'custom' can mean 'patronage'.

In French, 'coutume' is never used for business patronage. Use 'clientèle' or 'achalandage'.

Le magasin a une clientèle fidèle (not une coutume fidèle).

coutume vs usage

Both refer to common practices.

Usage is often more formal or related to language/tools. Coutume is more about social traditions.

L'usage du dictionnaire est conseillé, car c'est la coutume de bien écrire.

coutume vs mœurs

Both refer to social habits.

Mœurs refers to the moral and social standards of an era. Coutume refers to specific practices.

Les mœurs romaines incluaient de nombreuses coutumes étranges.

Satzmuster

C'est la coutume.

C'est la coutume de Noël.

Selon la coutume, [Sentence].

Selon la coutume, on mange des crêpes.

Il est de coutume de [Verb].

Il est de coutume de saluer les gens.

Comme de coutume, [Sentence].

Comme de coutume, il pleut.

Avoir pour coutume de [Verb].

Elle a pour coutume de chanter.

La coutume veut que [Subjunctive/Indicative].

La coutume veut que l'on s'offre des cadeaux.

[Subject] est passé en coutume.

Cette pratique est passée en coutume.

Bravant la coutume, [Sentence].

Bravant la coutume, il a refusé de partir.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

coutumier (a person who knows customs)

accoutumance (habituation/addiction)

Verben

accoutumer (to accustom/habituate)

s'accoutumer (to get used to)

Adjektive

coutumier (customary/usual)

accoutumé (accustomed/usual)

Verwandt

habitude

tradition

usage

mœurs

rite

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

frequency

Common in cultural and social contexts.

Häufige Fehler

Un coutume → Une coutume
Coutume is feminine. Don't let the -me ending fool you into thinking it's masculine like 'problème'.
J'aime ta coutume (referring to a suit) → J'aime ton costume
'Coutume' is a tradition. 'Costume' is a suit. This is a very common false friend error.
C'est ma coutume de fumer. → C'est mon habitude de fumer.
'Coutume' is usually for collective social practices. Personal habits should use 'habitude'.
J'ai coutume de lire. → J'ai pour coutume de lire.
The expression requires the preposition 'pour'.
Merci pour votre coutume (in a shop). → Merci pour votre fidélité / clientèle.
In English, 'custom' can mean 'patronage'. In French, 'coutume' never has this meaning.

Tipps

Gender Check

Always remember 'LA coutume'. Associate it with other feminine -ume words like 'la plume' (the feather).

Coutume vs Costume

Remember: 'Coutume' has 'U' like 'Usage'. 'Costume' has 'S' like 'Suit'.

Native Flair

Use 'Comme de coutume' instead of 'Comme d'habitude' to sound more advanced and elegant.

The 'One-Time' Rule

Memorize 'Une fois n'est pas coutume'. It's a very common way to justify a small exception to your rules.

Respect the Locale

When traveling in France, ask 'Quelle est la coutume ?' to show you care about local traditions.

Formal Phrasing

Use 'avoir pour coutume de' in essays to describe recurring themes or behaviors.

Context Clues

If you hear 'coutume' near words like 'village', 'ancien', or 'fête', it definitely means custom.

Visual Link

Visualize a 'Customs' officer at a border. They check the 'coutumes' (customs) of people coming in.

Habit vs Custom

If only you do it, it's an 'habitude'. If your whole family or village does it, it's a 'coutume'.

Latin Roots

Knowing it comes from 'consuetudo' helps you link it to the English 'consuetude' (a rare word for custom).

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'coutume' as 'Culture-Tune'. A custom is the 'tune' or rhythm that a culture follows. Also, remember: 'Coutume has no S, because it's a social practice, not a Suit (costume)!'

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a group of people in a small French village all doing the same thing (like playing pétanque) while one person stands aside in a business 'costume' looking out of place. The group represents 'la coutume'.

Word Web

Tradition Habitude Culture Village Ancien Social Règle Héritage

Herausforderung

Try to use 'selon la coutume' to describe a tradition in your own country to a French friend. Then, use 'une fois n'est pas coutume' the next time you do something unusual!

Wortherkunft

Derived from the Vulgar Latin *consuetumen, which comes from the Classical Latin 'consuetudo' (habit, custom).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The original meaning in Latin was 'habit' or 'usage', referring to something done repeatedly.

Romance (Latin root).

Kultureller Kontext

Be aware that 'coutume' can sometimes sound old-fashioned or conservative. In modern urban settings, 'habitude' or 'pratique' might be more common for everyday things, while 'coutume' is reserved for more significant traditions.

English speakers often use 'custom' for business ('thank you for your custom'), but in French, 'coutume' is strictly cultural/social. Use 'clientèle' for business.

Montaigne's essay 'De la coutume' (Of Custom) explores how habits shape our perception of the world. Pascal's famous quote: 'La coutume est une seconde nature.' (Custom is a second nature.) The legal 'Coutume de Paris' was one of the most important sets of laws in pre-revolutionary France.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Festivals and Holidays

La coutume de Noël
Célébrer selon la coutume
Une coutume païenne
Perpétuer la coutume

Daily Social Etiquette

Il est de coutume de dire merci
La coutume de la bise
Respecter les coutumes locales
Ignorer une coutume

Legal/Formal History

Le droit coutumier
Invoquer la coutume
Force de coutume
Ancienne coutume

Family Traditions

C'est la coutume chez nous
Une coutume familiale
Transmettre une coutume
Avoir pour coutume de...

Literature/Storytelling

Comme de coutume
Une étrange coutume
La coutume veut que...
Bravant la coutume

Gesprächseinstiege

"Quelle est la coutume la plus étrange de ton pays ?"

"Est-ce qu'il y a une coutume familiale que tu détestes ?"

"Penses-tu que les coutumes sont importantes pour la société ?"

"Quelle coutume française as-tu eu du mal à comprendre ?"

"Y a-t-il une coutume que tu aimerais changer ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décris une coutume de ton enfance qui n'existe plus aujourd'hui.

Pourquoi est-il important de respecter les coutumes quand on voyage ?

Invente une nouvelle coutume pour ton quartier ou ta ville.

Réfléchis à la phrase 'Une fois n'est pas coutume'. Quand l'as-tu utilisée pour la dernière fois ?

Compare une coutume de ton pays avec une coutume française.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It is feminine: la coutume. Many learners mistake it for masculine because it ends in -me, but it follows the feminine pattern of many -ume nouns.

They are very close. 'Tradition' often implies a longer, more formal history (like a religious tradition), while 'coutume' refers more to the social behavior and practices of a group.

You can say 'Comme de coutume'. It is a bit more formal than 'comme d'habitude'.

It's better to use 'habitude'. 'Coutume' implies something shared by a group. However, you can use 'avoir pour coutume de' for a very established personal routine to sound formal.

It means 'Just this once' or 'Once doesn't make it a habit'. It's used when you do something you don't normally do.

No! 'Costume' in French means a man's suit. 'Coutume' means custom.

It is 'customary law'—laws based on long-standing traditions rather than written statutes.

It's the standard French 'u'. Round your lips as if to say 'oo', but keep your tongue forward as if to say 'ee'.

Yes, but it's quite formal or used in academic/historical contexts to mean 'ways and customs'.

Yes, 'les coutumes' is common when talking about multiple traditions or practices.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen