習慣づける in 30 Seconds
- 習慣づける means 'to make a habit of.' It is a transitive verb focusing on the active effort to create a routine.
- Commonly used in self-improvement, parenting, and education to describe the process of installing new behaviors.
- The grammatical pattern is usually [Action/Noun] + を + 習慣づける, often requiring nominalization with 'koto'.
- It differs from 'shūkan ni naru' because it implies intentional training rather than a natural, passive occurrence.
The Japanese verb 習慣づける (shūkan-zukeru) is a powerful transitive verb that translates to 'to make something a habit' or 'to cultivate a habit.' It is composed of two primary parts: shūkan (habit/custom) and the auxiliary verb zukeru (to attach/fix/apply). Unlike the intransitive expression shūkan ni naru (to become a habit), which describes a natural process, 習慣づける emphasizes intentionality, effort, and the active process of integrating a behavior into one’s daily life or the life of another person.
- Intentionality
- This word is almost always used when there is a conscious decision to change behavior. It implies a starting point of effort leading toward automation.
毎日、朝起きたらすぐに水を飲むことを習慣づけるようにしています。
(I am trying to make it a habit to drink water immediately after waking up every morning.)
In a broader context, you will encounter this word in self-help literature, educational settings, and health coaching. It suggests a structured approach to discipline. For instance, a teacher might talk about shūkan-zukeru when discussing how students should learn to check their homework before submission. It carries a nuance of 'installation'—you are installing a new software of behavior into your routine. This is why the 'tsukeru' (attach) part of the verb is so significant; it signifies the binding of a new action to your existing lifestyle.
- Transitive Nature
- Because it is transitive, it requires an object—usually the action that is being turned into a habit, followed by the particle 'o' (を).
子供に手洗いを習慣づけるのは親の役目だ。
(It is the parent's duty to make hand-washing a habit for their children.)
Furthermore, the word is often used in the passive form shūkan-zukerarete iru to describe habits that were instilled in us by our environment or upbringing. If you always take your shoes off at the door without thinking, you might say that behavior was 'habituated' during your childhood. This highlights the long-term nature of the word; it’s not about a one-time action, but the creation of a permanent pattern. In professional settings, managers use it when discussing 'operationalizing' certain protocols or safety measures, ensuring that employees don't just know the rules, but follow them instinctively.
- Social Context
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 'kata' (form) and repetitive practice is highly valued. 習慣づける fits perfectly into this cultural framework of building character through disciplined repetition.
読書を習慣づけることで、語彙力が向上します。
(By making reading a habit, your vocabulary will improve.)
節約を習慣づけるのは難しいが、価値がある。
(Making saving money a habit is difficult, but it is worth it.)
健康的な食事を習慣づける。
(To habituate healthy eating.)
Using 習慣づける correctly requires understanding its grammatical structure as a transitive verb. The most common pattern is [Action/Noun] + を + 習慣づける. If you are using a verb as the habit, you must nominalize it using koto (こと) or no (の). For example, 'to make eating breakfast a habit' would be asagohan o taberu koto o shūkan-zukeru. This structure highlights that the subject is taking an active role in forging this new behavioral link.
- The 'Koto' Nominalization
- When the habit is an action, you must turn that verb into a noun. 'Walking' becomes 'Walking-thing' (aruku koto).
毎日３０分歩くことを習慣づける。
(Make it a habit to walk for 30 minutes every day.)
Another common usage involves the causative-passive or the 'trying to' form shūkan-zukeru yō ni suru. This is particularly frequent because habit formation is a process, not an instantaneous event. By saying yō ni shite iru, you are indicating that you are currently in the process of making something a habit. It shows effort and persistence. This is often heard in interviews or when people discuss their New Year's resolutions or fitness goals.
- Targeting Others
- You can use this verb to describe training others, such as children, pets, or subordinates at work. The person receiving the habit is usually marked with 'ni' (に).
新入社員に報告を習慣づける。
(To make reporting a habit for new employees.)
In academic or professional writing, you might see the noun form shūkan-zuke (習慣づけ). This refers to the act of habituation itself. For example, 'The habituation of study' would be gakushū no shūkan-zuke. This noun form is often used in titles of articles or chapters in educational psychology books. It emphasizes the methodology of training someone to act automatically in certain situations.
- The Passive Usage
- When a habit has already been instilled by someone else or by society, the passive form is used to show that the subject was the recipient of the training.
幼い頃から、靴を揃えるように習慣づけられた。
(I was habituated to line up my shoes since I was young.)
日記を書くことを習慣づけたい。
(I want to make writing a diary a habit.)
早起きを習慣づけるためのコツ。
(Tips for making early rising a habit.)
習慣づける is a staple in Japanese 'Life Hack' (raifu hakku) culture and self-improvement media. If you browse Japanese bookstores, you will find entire sections dedicated to shūkan-jutsu (the art of habit-making), where this verb appears in almost every paragraph. It is also extremely common in parenting blogs and magazines (like Kodomo Challenge), where experts advise parents on how to 'habituate' good manners or study routines in their children.
- Educational Settings
- Teachers use this word during parent-teacher conferences to discuss a student's lack of study habits or to praise a student who has successfully habituated morning review sessions.
「宿題をやることを習慣づけましょう」と先生が言った。
("Let's make doing homework a habit," the teacher said.)
In the business world, this word is used in the context of 'Kaizen' (continuous improvement). Management might seek to shūkan-zukeru safety checks on the factory floor or the use of a new digital tool. It implies that the goal is not just a one-off training session, but a permanent change in the company culture. You’ll hear it in meetings when discussing long-term operational efficiency. It's also frequently used in sports coaching, where athletes are trained to shūkan-zukeru specific forms or recovery routines.
- Health and Fitness
- Gym instructors and dieticians often use this term when explaining that consistency is more important than intensity. They focus on habituating small movements.
ストレッチを習慣づけることで、怪我を防げます。
(By habituating stretching, you can prevent injuries.)
In digital media, habit-tracking apps are often marketed with phrases like shūkan-zuke apuri (habit-forming apps). These apps are designed to help users shūkan-zukeru everything from meditation to language learning. The word has a positive, constructive ring to it, suggesting that the user is taking control of their life. It's not about being forced; it's about the self-discipline of 'attaching' better habits to oneself.
- Psychology and Science
- In Japanese psychological discourse, this term is used to describe the process of neuroplasticity and how repetitive actions create new neural pathways.
良い思考を習慣づける。
(To habituate positive thinking.)
ゴミの分別を習慣づける。
(To habituate trash sorting.)
うがいを習慣づける。
(To habituate gargling.)
The most frequent mistake learners make with 習慣づける is confusing it with the intransitive phrase 習慣になる (shūkan ni naru). While both involve habits, 習慣になる means 'to become a habit' (something happens naturally over time), whereas 習慣づける means 'to make (something) a habit' (you are the one doing the work). If you say Watashi wa mainichi hashiru koto ga shūkan-zuketa, it sounds awkward because shūkan-zukeru requires the particle o to show what you are habituating.
- Particle Confusion
- Don't use 'ga' with 習慣づける. Use 'o'.
❌ 読書が習慣づける (Reading habituates)
✅ 読書を習慣づける (To habituate reading)
間違い：運動が習慣づけました。
正解：運動を習慣づけました。
(Correct: I made exercise a habit.)
Another mistake is using 習慣づける for things that aren't actually habits. A habit is a repetitive, often daily, action. You wouldn't use it for a one-time goal like 'making it a habit to buy a car.' It must be something that can be performed repeatedly. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse it with 慣れる (nareru - to get used to). While 慣れる is about becoming comfortable with a situation (like the cold weather), 習慣づける is about the active creation of a routine.
- Over-formalizing
- While 習慣づける is common, in very casual conversation with friends, people might just say 'Mainichi yaru yō ni shiteru' (I'm making sure to do it every day) instead of using the full verb.
間違い：新しい靴に習慣づける。
正解：新しい靴に慣れる。
(Correct: Get used to new shoes. You don't 'habituate' shoes.)
Lastly, be careful with the 'tsukeru' part. In Japanese, there are many verbs ending in 'tsukeru' (like ki o tsukeru - be careful, or oshitsukeru - to force upon). Some learners accidentally mix these up. Shūkan-zukeru is specifically about habits. If you use oshitsukeru instead, you are saying you are 'forcing a habit' on someone in a negative, aggressive way. While sometimes you *do* force a habit on a child, shūkan-zukeru is the more standard, neutral-to-positive term for the educational process.
- Tense Misuse
- Learners often use the simple present 'shūkan-zukeru' when they should use the progressive 'shūkan-zukete iru' to describe a habit they are currently in the middle of forming.
今、早起きを習慣づけています。
(I am currently making early rising a habit.)
間違い：毎日勉強を習慣づけます (I habituate study every day).
正解：毎日勉強することを習慣づけています。
間違い：彼は私に掃除を習慣づけた (He habituated cleaning to me - sounds like he brainwashed you).
正解：彼は私に掃除を習慣づけさせた (He made me habituate cleaning).
Understanding the synonyms of 習慣づける helps you choose the right word for the right level of formality and nuance. While shūkan-zukeru is the most direct way to say 'to make a habit,' other words focus on different aspects of the process, such as the naturalization of the action or the formal institutionalization of a rule.
- 習慣化する (Shūkan-ka suru)
- This is a slightly more formal, 'system-oriented' version. It literally means 'to habit-ize.' It is often used in business or psychological contexts to describe the process of making a routine part of a system.
ワークフローを習慣化する。
(To institutionalize/habituate the workflow.)
Another close relative is 定着させる (teichaku saseru). This means 'to make something take root' or 'to establish.' While it can be used for habits, it is also used for ideas, trends, or brand names. If a habit teichaku-ed, it means it has successfully stuck and is now a permanent part of the environment. It implies a higher level of stability than just shūkan-zukeru, which focuses more on the initial effort of training.
- 身につける (Mi ni tsukeru)
- Literally 'to put on one's body,' this is used for acquiring skills, knowledge, or habits. It has a nuance of 'mastery.' You 'mi ni tsukeru' a language or a good manner.
正しい作法を身につける。
(To acquire/master correct etiquette.)
- ルーチン化する (Rūchin-ka suru)
- Using the loanword 'routine,' this is very common in modern business contexts. It sounds contemporary and efficient.
朝の作業をルーチン化する。
(To routinize morning tasks.)
For more negative habits, you might hear 癖がつく (kuse ga tsuku - to pick up a habit/quirk). While shūkan is usually neutral or positive, kuse often refers to unconscious or bad habits, like biting your nails or using 'um' too much. You wouldn't usually use shūkan-zukeru for a bad habit unless you were ironically 'training' yourself to do something bad. Instead, you 'fall into' a kuse.
- Summary of Alternatives
-
- 習慣化する: Formal, systemic.
- 身につける: Acquiring a skill or permanent habit.
- 定着させる: Making it stick long-term.
- 癖がつく: Usually for unintentional or bad habits.
良い習慣を定着させる。
(To make good habits stick.)
悪い癖を直す。
(To fix a bad habit.)
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The 'tsukeru' in this word is the same 'tsukeru' used in 'shōyu o tsukeru' (to put on soy sauce). You are metaphorically 'putting a habit on' yourself like a seasoning or a piece of clothing.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'zu' as a simple 'zu' instead of the 'dzu' (づ) sound.
- Shortening the long 'ū' in 'shūkan'.
- Misplacing the stress on the 'ke' syllable.
- Confusing 'zukeru' with 'tsukeru' (the 'ts' sound vs 'dz' sound).
- Forgetting the nasal quality of the 'n' in 'kan'.
Difficulty Rating
The kanji are standard (N3 level), but the compound verb structure requires some familiarity with auxiliary verbs.
Writing 'shūkan' (習慣) correctly requires attention to the strokes in 'kan'. 'Zukeru' is usually hiragana.
The word is long but follows standard Ichidan conjugation. Pronunciation is straightforward.
Clear phonetic structure, though it can be confused with 'shūkan ni naru' if the ending is missed.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Nominalization with 'Koto'
本を【読むこと】を習慣づける。
Transitive vs Intransitive Verbs
習慣【を】習慣づける (Transitive) vs 習慣【に】なる (Intransitive).
Causative Form (-saseru)
部下に報告を習慣づけ【させる】。
Passive Form (-rareru)
幼い頃から厳しく習慣づけ【られた】。
Volitional Form + to suru
早起きを習慣づけ【ようとする】。
Examples by Level
毎日、お茶を飲むことを習慣づける。
I make it a habit to drink tea every day.
Uses 'koto o' to turn the action into a noun.
手洗いを習慣づけましょう。
Let's make hand-washing a habit.
Uses the polite suggestion form '-mashō'.
日記を習慣づける。
To make (writing) a diary a habit.
Direct object 'nikki' with 'o'.
朝ごはんを習慣づける。
To make eating breakfast a habit.
Simple noun + o + verb.
散歩を習慣づける。
To make walking a habit.
Noun 'sanpo' used as the object.
勉強を習慣づける。
To make studying a habit.
Focuses on the effort of starting a routine.
挨拶を習慣づける。
To make greeting people a habit.
Social habituation.
早寝を習慣づける。
To make going to bed early a habit.
Compound noun 'hayane'.
健康のために、運動を習慣づけています。
I am making exercise a habit for my health.
Uses 'te-iru' to show ongoing effort.
新しい言葉をメモすることを習慣づけよう。
Let's make it a habit to take notes of new words.
Uses the volitional form '-yō'.
毎晩、本を少し読むことを習慣づけたいです。
I want to make it a habit to read a book a little every night.
Uses '-tai' to express desire.
お母さんは私に掃除を習慣づけました。
My mother made me habituate cleaning.
Subject-Object-Verb with 'ni' for the recipient.
ゴミを拾うことを習慣づける。
To make it a habit to pick up trash.
Action-based habituation.
毎日水を２リットル飲むことを習慣づける。
To make it a habit to drink 2 liters of water every day.
Specific goal-oriented habit.
寝る前にストレッチをすることを習慣づける。
To make it a habit to stretch before bed.
Time-specific habituation.
靴を揃えることを習慣づける。
To make it a habit to line up shoes.
Cultural habituation example.
仕事のミスを減らすために、確認作業を習慣づけるべきだ。
In order to reduce mistakes at work, you should make double-checking a habit.
Uses '-beki da' (should).
子供のうちに良い習慣を習慣づけることが大切です。
It is important to habituate good habits while you are a child.
Focuses on the timing of habituation.
彼は毎朝の瞑想を習慣づけることに成功した。
He succeeded in making morning meditation a habit.
Uses 'ni seikō shita' (succeeded in).
英語でニュースを聞くことを習慣づければ、リスニング力が上がります。
If you make it a habit to listen to the news in English, your listening skills will improve.
Conditional form '-ba'.
節約を習慣づけるために、家計簿をつけ始めた。
I started keeping a household account book to habituate saving money.
Uses 'tame ni' to show purpose.
自分を律するために、早起きを習慣づけている。
I am habituating early rising in order to discipline myself.
Reflexive habituation.
新しい環境に慣れるだけでなく、自分から新しい習慣を習慣づけることが必要だ。
It's necessary not just to get used to a new environment, but to actively habituate new routines yourself.
Contrast between 'nareru' and 'shūkan-zukeru'.
うがいと手洗いを習慣づけることで、風邪を予防できる。
By making gargling and hand-washing a habit, you can prevent colds.
Uses 'koto de' to show the means.
企業文化として、常に改善を考える姿勢を社員に習慣づける。
As a corporate culture, we habituate in our employees an attitude of always thinking about improvement.
Professional context, collective habituation.
一度習慣づけられた行動は、意識しなくても自然にできるようになる。
Once a behavior is habituated, you become able to do it naturally without conscious effort.
Passive form 'shūkan-zukerareta' used as an adjective.
アスリートは、試合後のケアを習慣づけることで選手生命を延ばす。
Athletes extend their careers by habituating post-match care.
Specific professional application.
論理的に思考することを習慣づければ、問題解決能力が高まる。
If you habituate thinking logically, your problem-solving abilities will increase.
Mental habituation.
家庭内でのルールを習慣づけるには、親が手本を示す必要がある。
To habituate household rules, parents need to set an example.
Educational/Parenting context.
SNSのチェックを制限することを習慣づけ、集中力を取り戻した。
By habituating the limitation of SNS checking, I regained my focus.
Habit of avoidance/limitation.
定期的な歯科検診を習慣づけることで、将来の抜歯を防ぐ。
Habituating regular dental checkups prevents future tooth extractions.
Medical prevention context.
メモを取ることを習慣づけておかないと、重要なアイデアを忘れてしまう。
If you don't make it a habit to take notes in advance, you'll forget important ideas.
Uses '-te oku' (in advance).
批判的思考を習慣づけることは、フェイクニュースが溢れる現代社会において不可欠だ。
Habituating critical thinking is essential in today's society, which is overflowing with fake news.
High-level social commentary.
幼少期からの読書習慣の習慣づけが、その後の学力格差に大きく影響する。
The habituation of reading from early childhood significantly impacts the subsequent academic achievement gap.
Uses the noun form 'shūkan-zuke'.
持続可能な社会を実現するためには、環境に配慮した行動を国民一人ひとりに習慣づける必要がある。
To realize a sustainable society, it is necessary to habituate environmentally conscious actions in every single citizen.
Policy-level discourse.
自己内省を習慣づけることで、感情に振り回されない強靭な精神を養うことができる。
By habituating self-reflection, one can cultivate a resilient spirit that is not swayed by emotions.
Psychological/Philosophical nuance.
科学的な根拠に基づいた判断を習慣づけるよう、教育課程を再編すべきだ。
The educational curriculum should be restructured to habituate judgment based on scientific evidence.
Institutional habituation.
無意識のうちに習慣づけられた偏見を自覚し、それを正す努力が求められている。
There is a demand for effort to become aware of and correct prejudices that have been habituated unconsciously.
Passive and abstract usage.
毎日のわずかな努力を習慣づけることが、やがて大きな成果へと結びつく。
Habituating small daily efforts eventually leads to great results.
Thematic/Proverbial usage.
情報のソースを確認することを習慣づけるだけで、デマに惑わされるリスクは激減する。
Just by habituating the verification of information sources, the risk of being misled by hoaxes decreases sharply.
Conditional emphasis.
アルゴリズムによって特定の消費行動を習慣づけられる現代人は、自律性を喪失しつつあるのではないか。
Are modern people, who are habituated to specific consumption behaviors by algorithms, losing their autonomy?
Sociological critique, passive usage.
美徳を習慣づけることで人格を形成するというアリストテレス的倫理観は、今なお色褪せない。
The Aristotelian ethical view of forming character by habituating virtues remains relevant even today.
Philosophical/Historical reference.
組織全体の安全意識を習慣づけるには、トップダウンの指示だけでは不十分であり、現場の主体性が欠かせない。
To habituate safety awareness across an entire organization, top-down instructions are insufficient; the initiative of the workers on the ground is indispensable.
Complex organizational analysis.
言語習得の本質は、単なる知識の蓄積ではなく、その言語特有の思考回路を習慣づけることにある。
The essence of language acquisition lies not in the mere accumulation of knowledge, but in habituating the thought patterns unique to that language.
Linguistic philosophy.
国家レベルでの徹底した衛生管理の習慣づけが、パンデミックの抑制に決定的な役割を果たした。
The thorough habituation of hygiene management at the national level played a decisive role in suppressing the pandemic.
Macro-social analysis.
自己の限界に挑む姿勢を習慣づけることは、真の意味での自己超越への第一歩である。
Habituating an attitude of challenging one's own limits is the first step toward self-transcendence in the true sense.
Existential/Motivational context.
情報の取捨選択を習慣づける能力は、情報過多の時代を生き抜くための必須スキルである。
The ability to habituate the selection and discarding of information is a mandatory skill for surviving the era of information overload.
Modern survival skill context.
礼節を習慣づけることは、単なる形式の遵守ではなく、他者への敬意を内面化するプロセスである。
Habituating etiquette is not mere adherence to form, but a process of internalizing respect for others.
Cultural/Internalization nuance.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To try to make it a habit to... This shows ongoing effort.
野菜を食べることを習慣づけるようにしています。
— Habituation is important. Often used as a general piece of advice.
勉強は内容より、まず習慣づけが大事だ。
— Once you make it a habit. Focuses on the ease that follows effort.
一度習慣づければ、苦労しなくなります。
— To struggle to make something a habit.
早起きを習慣づけるのに苦労している。
— To make something a habit without overexerting oneself.
無理なく習慣づけるためのステップ。
— To thoroughly habituate something.
安全確認を徹底して習慣づける。
— To habituate taking care of one's immediate surroundings.
子供に身の回りのことを習慣づける。
— To habituate good habits (a common tautology in Japanese).
若いうちに良い習慣を習慣づける。
— To habituate something naturally/unforcedly.
遊びの中でルールを自然に習慣づける。
— To consciously make something a habit.
意識的に感謝の言葉を習慣づける。
Often Confused With
習慣になる is intransitive (it happens). 習慣づける is transitive (you make it happen).
慣れる is about getting used to a situation or environment. 習慣づける is about creating a specific behavioral routine.
身につく is the state of having acquired a skill or habit. 習慣づける is the process of trying to acquire it.
Idioms & Expressions
— Habit is second nature. This emphasizes that things we habituate become part of who we are.
習慣は第二の天性なりというから、良いことを習慣づけるべきだ。
Literary/Proverb— The soul of a three-year-old remains until a hundred. Refers to the importance of early habituation.
三つ子の魂百までというし、幼い頃の習慣づけは重要だ。
Proverb— Strike the iron while it's hot. Used when advising to habituate skills while young or motivated.
鉄は熱いうちに打て。今のうちに勉強を習慣づけなさい。
Proverb— Continuity is power. The philosophy behind habituating actions.
継続は力なり。毎日少しずつ習慣づけよう。
Common Saying— Three years on a stone. Implies that habituating and persevering leads to success.
石の上にも三年。この仕事を習慣づけるまで頑張る。
Proverb— Before breakfast (meaning 'a piece of cake'). Used for tasks that are so well-habituated they are easy.
そんなの、習慣づけている私には朝飯前だ。
Informal— To grind one's body into powder (to work very hard). Sometimes used when describing the effort to habituate tough routines.
身を粉にして、新しいスキルを習慣づける。
Idiomatic— Learn by doing rather than by being taught. Related to the 'zukeru' (attaching) process of habit.
習うより慣れろだ。まずは習慣づけることから始めよう。
Proverb— You reap what you sow. Often used regarding bad habits one has habituated.
不摂生を習慣づけた結果の病気なら、自業自得だ。
Common Saying— Never forget your original intention. Important when a habit becomes too automatic and mindless.
習慣づけても、初心忘るべからずの気持ちが大切だ。
ProverbEasily Confused
Both mean 'making a habit.'
Shūkan-ka is more formal and systemic. Shūkan-zukeru is more personal and focuses on the act of training/attaching.
システムの習慣化を図る vs 自分の早起きを習慣づける。
Both imply a routine staying in place.
Teichaku means 'taking root.' It's the result. Shūkan-zukeru is the method/effort.
習慣が定着した vs 習慣を習慣づける努力をする。
Both involve training behaviors.
Shitsuke is specifically for manners and social discipline, usually for children/pets. Shūkan-zukeru is for any routine.
子供のしつけ vs 毎日のランニングの習慣づけ。
Sounds slightly similar (shū-).
Shūchaku means 'obsession' or 'attachment' in a negative, emotional sense. Shūkan is a habit.
過去への執着 vs 読書の習慣。
Relates to regular use.
Jōyō is usually for medicine or tools being used regularly. Shūkan-zukeru is for actions/behaviors.
薬を常用する vs 運動を習慣づける。
Sentence Patterns
[Noun] を 習慣づける
運動を習慣づける。
[Verb-Dict] こと を 習慣づける
毎日歩くことを習慣づける。
[Verb-Dict] ように 習慣づける
忘れないように習慣づける。
[Person] に [Action] を 習慣づける
子供に手洗いを習慣づける。
[Action] を 習慣づけている最中だ
早起きを習慣づけている最中だ。
[Action] の 習慣づけ を 図る
読書の習慣づけを図る。
[Action] が 習慣づけられる
徹底した管理が習慣づけられる。
[Abstract Concept] を 習慣づける
批判的思考を習慣づける。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in self-help, educational, and health-related contexts. Medium in daily casual conversation.
-
習慣づけるが難しい
→
習慣づけるのは難しい
You need to nominalize the verb 'shūkan-zukeru' with 'no' or 'koto' before adding the 'ga' particle.
-
運動を習慣づけになる
→
運動が習慣になる / 運動を習慣づける
You are mixing the transitive and intransitive forms. Use 'o' with 'shūkan-zukeru' or 'ga' with 'shūkan ni naru'.
-
毎日を習慣づける
→
毎日[行動]を習慣づける
You cannot 'habituate every day.' You habituate an *action* that you do every day.
-
新しい学校に習慣づけた
→
新しい学校に慣れた
For adjusting to a place or situation, use 'nareru' (get used to), not 'shūkan-zukeru'.
-
タバコを習慣づける
→
タバコが癖になる / 喫煙の習慣がつく
Unless you are intentionally trying to start smoking as a goal, 'shūkan-zukeru' sounds strange for a bad habit. Use 'kuse' or 'shūkan ga tsuku'.
Tips
Nominalize your Verbs
If the habit is an action (a verb), always put 'koto' after it. 'Taberu koto o shūkan-zukeru' (Make eating a habit). Without 'koto,' the sentence will be ungrammatical.
Intentionality is Key
Use this word when you want to emphasize that you are taking control. It sounds more disciplined and proactive than 'shūkan ni naru.'
Use in Self-Introductions
When talking about your hobbies or self-improvement, use 'shūkan-zukete imasu' to show you are a person of effort and routine. It makes a great impression in interviews.
Noun Form for Titles
If you are writing a blog post or a title, use '習慣づけ' (shūkan-zuke). For example: '早起きの習慣づけ' (Habituating early rising).
Watch for the 'Ni'
If you hear 'ni' before the person, they are the one being trained. 'Kodomo ni... shūkan-zukeru' (Make the child habituate...).
Pair with 'Mainichi'
This verb naturally pairs with frequency adverbs like 'mainichi' (every day), 'teiki-teki ni' (regularly), or 'tsune ni' (always).
Respect the 'Kata'
In Japan, habits are seen as a way to steady the mind. Mentioning your 'shūkan' shows you value stability and self-regulation.
Start Small
A common Japanese phrase is 'chiisana koto kara shūkan-zukeru' (starting with small things to habituate). Use this to describe your language learning journey!
Don't say 'Zukeru' alone
While 'tsukeru' is a verb on its own, 'shūkan-zukeru' is a set compound. In this context, 'zukeru' doesn't mean anything without 'shūkan' in front of it.
Polite Form
In most situations, use the polite 'shūkan-zukemasu' or 'shūkan-zukete imasu' unless you are talking to close friends or writing a diary.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Shū' as 'Shoes' and 'Kan' as a 'Can.' You are 'attaching' (zukeru) your 'Shoes' to a 'Can' every day until it becomes a habit. 'Shoes-Can-Attach' = Shūkan-zukeru.
Visual Association
Imagine a Velcro strap (zukeru) attaching a daily task (like a book) to your wrist (your life). You are literally 'attaching' the habit to yourself.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to say 'Mainichi [Your Goal] o shūkan-zukeru' three times fast every morning for a week. This will help you habituate the word while you habituate your goal!
Word Origin
The word is a compound of 'shūkan' (習慣) and 'tsukeru' (付ける). 'Shūkan' consists of 'shū' (習 - to learn/practice) and 'kan' (慣 - to get used to). The auxiliary verb 'tsukeru' means 'to attach' or 'to fix.'
Original meaning: To fix a practiced behavior into a state of being used to it.
Sino-Japanese (Kango) roots for 'shūkan' combined with a native Japanese (Wago) verb 'tsukeru'.Cultural Context
Generally a very positive and safe word. However, when used toward adults in a workplace, it can sometimes sound patronizing (like you are 'training' them like children), so 'shūkan-ka' might be safer for peers.
In English, we often say 'make it a habit' or 'get into the habit.' 'Shūkan-zukeru' is more active and sounds like 'training' or 'installing.'
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Health and Fitness
- 毎日1万歩歩くことを習慣づける
- ストレッチを習慣づける
- 野菜中心の食事を習慣づける
- 十分な睡眠を習慣づける
Education and Study
- 朝の単語学習を習慣づける
- 復習を習慣づける
- 図書館に通うことを習慣づける
- 辞書を引くことを習慣づける
Work and Productivity
- タスクリストの作成を習慣づける
- メールの即レスを習慣づける
- 定時退社を習慣づける
- 週報の提出を習慣づける
Parenting
- 子供に片付けを習慣づける
- 靴を揃えるのを習慣づける
- 寝る前の読書を習慣づける
- 「ありがとう」と言うのを習慣づける
Self-Care and Mental Health
- 瞑想を習慣づける
- 感謝日記を習慣づける
- スマホ断ちを習慣づける
- 深呼吸を習慣づける
Conversation Starters
"最近、何か新しく習慣づけていることはありますか？ (Is there anything you've recently started making a habit?)"
"早起きを習慣づけるための良いアドバイスはありますか？ (Do you have any good advice for making early rising a habit?)"
"子供に勉強を習慣づけるのは、本当に難しいですよね。 (Making studying a habit for children is really difficult, isn't it?)"
"健康のために、何を習慣づけるのが一番効果的だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the most effective thing to habituate for health?)"
"私は日記を習慣づけようとして、何度も失敗しています。 (I've tried many times to make writing a diary a habit and failed.)"
Journal Prompts
今月から新しく習慣づけたいことを一つ選び、その理由を書いてください。 (Choose one thing you want to habituate starting this month and write the reason.)
あなたが子供の頃、親に習慣づけられたことで、今でも役に立っていることは何ですか？ (What is something your parents habituated in you as a child that is still useful now?)
習慣づけるのが最も難しかったことは何ですか？どうやって克服しましたか？ (What was the hardest thing to habituate? How did you overcome it?)
もし「悪い習慣」を一つだけ完全に消して、新しい「良い習慣」を一つ習慣づけるとしたら、何を選びますか？ (If you could erase one bad habit and habituate one new good habit, what would you choose?)
「継続は力なり」という言葉について、あなたの習慣づけの経験から考えてみてください。 (Think about the phrase 'Continuity is power' based on your experience of habituation.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically, you can use it for any habit, but because it implies an 'intentional attachment,' it is almost exclusively used for positive or neutral habits that require effort to establish. For bad habits that you fall into without trying, words like '癖がつく' (kuse ga tsuku) are used.
You should use the phrase '習慣づけるようにしています' (shūkan-zukeru yō ni shite imasu). This conveys that you are currently putting in the effort to make the action automatic.
Yes, you can. It is commonly used by parents for their children or managers for their employees. Use the pattern: [Person] に [Habit] を 習慣づける.
習慣 (shūkan) is a habit, often conscious or social (like reading or greeting). 癖 (kuse) is a personal quirk or an unconscious habit, often with a negative connotation (like biting nails or leg shaking).
The 'zu' comes from the kanji '付' (tsuke), which becomes 'づけ' (dzuke) due to sequential voicing (rendaku). While it can be written as 習慣付ける, it is very commonly written as 習慣づける in modern Japanese.
No. By definition, a habit is repetitive. You cannot 'habituate' buying a house or graduating from college. It must be an action that occurs multiple times.
Yes, it is common in N3 and N2 reading and listening sections, especially those focusing on health, education, or psychology.
There isn't a single direct verb, but '習慣を絶つ' (shūkan o tatsu - to break a habit) or 'やめる' (yameru - to stop) are the most common ways to express the opposite.
Yes, you can use it when training pets, though 'しつける' (shitsukeru) is more common for general discipline. 'Shūkan-zukeru' would be used for a specific routine like 'eating at the same time.'
In this compound, it is always pronounced 'zukeru' (with a 'dz/z' sound) because of rendaku.
Test Yourself 200 questions
Write: 'I make it a habit to exercise every day.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write: 'It is important to make reading a habit.'
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Write: 'I want to make early rising a habit for my health.'
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Write: 'We should habituate safety checks in the workplace.'
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Write: 'Make a habit.'
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Write: 'Let's make hand-washing a habit.'
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Write: 'I succeeded in habituating meditation.'
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Write: 'Parents habituate rules in their children.'
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Write: 'Critical thinking is a necessary habit.'
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Write: 'I am trying to make it a habit to write a diary.'
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Write: 'To reduce mistakes, make double-checking a habit.'
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Write: 'Once habituated, it becomes easy.'
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Write: 'Habituating virtues forms character.'
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Write: 'I want to habituate studying English.'
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Write: 'Make it a habit to drink water.'
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Write: 'He was habituated to line up his shoes.'
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Write: 'Habituation of reading influences academic ability.'
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Write: 'Make walking a habit.'
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Write: 'Don't forget to habituate greetings.'
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Write: 'It takes time to habituate a new routine.'
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Say: 'I am making a habit of reading.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'I want to make early rising a habit.'
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Say: 'Let's habituate safety checks.'
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Say: 'It's important to habituate critical thinking.'
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Say: 'Make a habit.'
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Say: 'Let's wash hands.' (as a habit)
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Say: 'I'm trying to drink water every day.'
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Say: 'I was habituated since I was a child.'
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Say: 'Habituation takes discipline.'
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Say: 'I want to habituate English study.'
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Say: 'To save money, I'll habituate budgeting.'
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Say: 'Check your mistakes as a habit.'
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Say: 'Algorithms habituate our behavior.'
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Say: 'Daily walking habit.'
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Say: 'It's hard to habituate new things.'
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Say: 'Make it a rule to greet people.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Self-reflection is a good habit.'
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Say: 'I'm currently habituating stretching.'
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Say: 'Once you habituate it, it's easy.'
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Say: 'I succeeded in habituating early rising.'
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You said:
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Listen and identify: 習慣づける (Shūkan-zukeru)
Listen and identify: 習慣づけています (Shūkan-zukete imasu)
Listen and identify: 習慣づけられた (Shūkan-zukerareta)
Listen and identify: 習慣づけが大事 (Shūkan-zuke ga daiji)
Identify the word: 習慣 (Shūkan)
Identify the verb ending: づける (Zukeru)
Listen to the sentence: 'Undō o shūkan-zukeru.' What is being habituated?
Listen to the sentence: 'Kodomo ni shitsuke o shūkan-zukeru.' Who is the target?
Identify the nuance: 'Shūkan-zukerarete iru.'
Listen: 'Nikki o kaku koto o shūkan-zukeru.' What action?
Listen: 'Hayane o shūkan-zukeru.' What action?
Listen: 'Kakunin o shūkan-zukeru.' What context?
Listen: 'Dokusho shūkan no shūkan-zuke.' What is the noun?
Listen: 'Shūkan-zukeyō.' What form?
Listen: 'Shūkan-zuketai.' What form?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 習慣づける is your go-to verb for describing the active process of personal growth through routines. Whether you are teaching a child to wash their hands or training yourself to wake up at 5 AM, this verb captures the disciplined effort of 'attaching' a new habit to your life. Example: 毎日読書することを習慣づける (Make it a habit to read every day).
- 習慣づける means 'to make a habit of.' It is a transitive verb focusing on the active effort to create a routine.
- Commonly used in self-improvement, parenting, and education to describe the process of installing new behaviors.
- The grammatical pattern is usually [Action/Noun] + を + 習慣づける, often requiring nominalization with 'koto'.
- It differs from 'shūkan ni naru' because it implies intentional training rather than a natural, passive occurrence.
Nominalize your Verbs
If the habit is an action (a verb), always put 'koto' after it. 'Taberu koto o shūkan-zukeru' (Make eating a habit). Without 'koto,' the sentence will be ungrammatical.
Intentionality is Key
Use this word when you want to emphasize that you are taking control. It sounds more disciplined and proactive than 'shūkan ni naru.'
Use in Self-Introductions
When talking about your hobbies or self-improvement, use 'shūkan-zukete imasu' to show you are a person of effort and routine. It makes a great impression in interviews.
Noun Form for Titles
If you are writing a blog post or a title, use '習慣づけ' (shūkan-zuke). For example: '早起きの習慣づけ' (Habituating early rising).
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