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costumbre means custom — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 2, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

costumbre

noun • /[cos-TOOM-bre]/

custom

Example:

Es costumbre dejar propina aquí.

It's customary to leave a tip here.

🧠 What does costumbre mean?

Costumbre refers to a practice, habit, or tradition that is followed regularly by an individual, a group, or a society. It can describe a personal routine (un hábito) or a broader cultural or social norm (una tradición). The word implies a repeated action that has become a standard or expected behavior over time.

📚 Extra examples

  • En mi familia, tenemos la costumbre de almorzar juntos los domingos.
    In my family, we have the custom of having lunch together on Sundays.
  • Perdió la costumbre de hacer ejercicio y ahora le cuesta empezar de nuevo.
    He got out of the habit of exercising and now finds it hard to start again.
  • Según la costumbre local, hay que quitarse los zapatos antes de entrar en la casa.
    According to local custom, you must take off your shoes before entering the house.

💡 Did You Know?

'Costumbre' is related to the verb 'acostumbrar', which means 'to accustom' or 'to get used to'. The common phrase 'estar acostumbrado a algo' means 'to be used to something', highlighting the connection between a custom and a state of being familiar with an action.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "costumbre"

Synonyms: hábito, tradición, práctica, uso, rutina
Opposites: novedad, innovación, excepción, rareza

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'custom' in Spanish?
The most direct translation for 'custom' is 'costumbre'. For a personal 'habit', you can also use 'hábito'.
How do you pronounce 'costumbre' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is kos-TOOM-breh, with the stress on the second syllable, 'tum'.
How do you use 'costumbre' in a sentence?
It can be used to describe a tradition, for example: 'Es costumbre en este país tomar una siesta después de comer.' (It's a custom in this country to take a nap after eating.)
What is the English translation of 'costumbre'?
The English translation is 'custom', 'habit', or 'tradition', depending on the context.
Does 'costumbre' change for gender or number?
Yes, 'costumbre' is a feminine noun. Its singular form is 'la costumbre' and its plural form is 'las costumbres'.
Is 'costumbre' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a very common and essential word used frequently to talk about personal routines, social norms, and cultural traditions.
Does 'costumbre' have slang or double meanings?
'Costumbre' is a standard term and does not have any common slang or ambiguous meanings.
Is 'costumbre' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The meaning and use of 'costumbre' are consistent across all Spanish-speaking regions. There are no significant regional variations.

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