Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== fēngsú: 风俗 - Custom, Social Custom, Mores ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** fēngsú, 风俗, Chinese customs, local customs in China, Chinese traditions, social mores, Chinese culture, feng su meaning, what are Chinese customs, Chinese etiquette, local practices * **Summary:** The Chinese term **风俗 (fēngsú)** refers to the established social customs, practices, and mores of a particular region or community. Far more than just "traditions," `fēngsú` encompasses the unwritten rules and collective habits that shape daily life, from festival celebrations and wedding rituals to local etiquette and superstitions. Understanding `fēngsú` is essential for anyone wishing to navigate Chinese culture respectfully and gain a deeper insight into the diverse local practices across China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fēngsú * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** A social custom, convention, or practice established over a long period. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of `fēngsú` as the "way things are done around here." It's not about an individual's personal habit, but about the shared, collective behaviors of a community. It could be the specific food you must eat during a holiday, the proper way to conduct a wedding tea ceremony, or the local superstitions to avoid. `Fēngsú` is the cultural software that runs in the background of a society, guiding how people interact with each other and their environment. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **风 (fēng):** While its primary meaning is "wind," here it takes on the meaning of "style," "manner," or "social atmosphere." Like the wind, these things are pervasive and influence everything in a region. * **俗 (sú):** This character means "custom," "convention," or "popular." It points to something that is common among the people. * When combined, **风俗 (fēngsú)** literally means the "popular styles and customs." It describes the prevailing social atmosphere and the common practices that define a group's identity and way of life. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== `Fēngsú` is a cornerstone of Chinese cultural identity, emphasizing that "how" you do something is often as important as "what" you do. Its significance lies in its incredible diversity and localism. The `fēngsú` of Beijing can be dramatically different from that of Shanghai, let alone a rural village in Yunnan province. This reflects China's vastness and long history, where communities developed unique ways of life in relative isolation. A useful comparison is to the Western concept of "local customs" or "traditions," but `fēngsú` often carries more weight. In the West, following a custom (like leaving a tooth for the Tooth Fairy) is often a quaint, optional family activity. In China, adhering to local `fēngsú` (such as the specific rituals for honoring ancestors during the Qingming Festival) can be a deeply ingrained social expectation tied to core values like: * **Collectivism:** `Fēngsú` belongs to the group, and participating in it reinforces your place within the community. * **Respect for Elders and History:** Many customs are passed down through generations, and following them is a way of showing respect for one's heritage and ancestors. * **Social Harmony:** Knowing and following local `fēngsú` prevents misunderstandings and social friction. The famous idiom **入乡随俗 (rù xiāng suí sú)**—"When entering a village, follow its customs"—is a guiding principle for travelers, new residents, and even business people in China. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `Fēngsú` is a common word used in everyday conversation, travel, and cultural discussions. * **Discussing Travel:** People often use it to ask about or describe the unique practices of a place they are visiting. "What are the local `fēngsú` we should be aware of?" * **Cultural Explanations:** It's used to explain why people do certain things during festivals, weddings, funerals, and other ceremonies. * **Evaluating Customs:** While often neutral, `fēngsú` can be modified to show an opinion. A custom might be described as **独特的风俗 (dútè de fēngsú)** (a unique custom) or, more critically, as a **陈旧的风俗 (chénjiù de fēngsú)** (an outdated custom) or even a **陋俗 (lòusú)** (a bad/corrupt custom). The term is of neutral formality and is appropriate for both spoken conversation and written articles. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 每个地方都有自己独特的**风俗**。 * Pinyin: Měi gè dìfāng dōu yǒu zìjǐ dútè de **fēngsú**. * English: Every place has its own unique customs. * Analysis: A common, general statement used to express the diversity of practices across different regions. * **Example 2:** * 你能给我介绍一下你们那儿的过年**风俗**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒ jièshào yīxià nǐmen nàr de guònián **fēngsú** ma? * English: Can you tell me a bit about the Chinese New Year customs in your hometown? * Analysis: This is a practical and polite question a learner might ask to understand specific cultural practices. * **Example 3:** * 按照当地的**风俗**，婚礼上新人要给长辈敬茶。 * Pinyin: Ànzhào dāngdì de **fēngsú**, hūnlǐ shàng xīnrén yào gěi zhǎngbèi jìngchá. * English: According to local custom, the newlyweds must serve tea to the elders at the wedding. * Analysis: This shows how `fēngsú` dictates specific actions during important ceremonies. * **Example 4:** * “入乡随俗”是一个很重要的建议，我们应该尊重当地的**风俗**。 * Pinyin: “Rù xiāng suí sú” shì yī gè hěn zhòngyào de jiànyì, wǒmen yīnggāi zūnzhòng dāngdì de **fēngsú**. * English: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is a very important piece of advice; we should respect the local customs. * Analysis: This sentence directly connects the term to its most famous associated idiom. * **Example 5:** * 随着社会的发展，很多旧的**风俗**已经慢慢消失了。 * Pinyin: Suízhe shèhuì de fāzhǎn, hěnduō jiù de **fēngsú** yǐjīng mànman xiāoshī le. * English: With the development of society, many old customs have gradually disappeared. * Analysis: This highlights the changing nature of customs in modern China. * **Example 6:** * 我觉得这个**风俗**有点奇怪，但很有意思。 * Pinyin: Wǒ juéde zhège **fēngsú** yǒudiǎn qíguài, dàn hěn yǒu yìsi. * English: I think this custom is a bit strange, but very interesting. * Analysis: A typical sentence a foreigner might use to comment on a custom they've just learned about. * **Example 7:** * 不同地区的婚嫁**风俗**差异很大。 * Pinyin: Bùtóng dìqū de hūnjià **fēngsú** chāyì hěn dà. * English: The marriage customs in different regions vary greatly. * Analysis: `婚嫁 (hūnjià)` means marriage. This specifies the type of `fēngsú` being discussed. * **Example 8:** * 在我们老家，有个**风俗**是冬至要吃饺子。 * Pinyin: Zài wǒmen lǎojiā, yǒu ge **fēngsú** shì dōngzhì yào chī jiǎozi. * English: In my hometown, there's a custom of eating dumplings on the Winter Solstice. * Analysis: This demonstrates how `fēngsú` can refer to very specific, often food-related, holiday practices. * **Example 9:** * 有些人认为重男轻女是一种需要改变的**风俗**。 * Pinyin: Yǒuxiē rén rènwéi zhòngnánqīngnǚ shì yī zhǒng xūyào gǎibiàn de **fēngsú**. * English: Some people believe that valuing sons over daughters is a custom that needs to be changed. * Analysis: This shows `fēngsú` used in a critical context, referring to a practice seen as negative. * **Example 10:** * 了解一个国家的**风俗**是学习其文化的第一步。 * Pinyin: Liǎojiě yī gè guójiā de **fēngsú** shì xuéxí qí wénhuà de dì yī bù. * English: Understanding a country's customs is the first step to learning its culture. * Analysis: This sentence positions `fēngsú` as a gateway to deeper cultural understanding. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common mistake for learners is confusing **风俗 (fēngsú)** with **习惯 (xíguàn)**. * **风俗 (fēngsú): A Social Custom.** Belongs to a group, community, or country. It's shared. * **习惯 (xíguàn): A Personal Habit.** Belongs to an individual. * **Incorrect:** 我的**风俗**是每天早上喝咖啡。 (Wǒ de **fēngsú** shì měitiān zǎoshang hē kāfēi.) * **Why it's wrong:** Drinking coffee every morning is your personal routine, not a shared community custom. * **Correct:** 我的**习惯**是每天早上喝咖啡。 (Wǒ de **xíguàn** shì měitiān zǎoshang hē kāfēi.) - "My **habit** is to drink coffee every morning." * **Correct:** 在中国的一些地区，春节吃鱼是一个**风俗**。(Zài Zhōngguó de yīxiē dìqū, Chūnjié chī yú shì yī gè **fēngsú**.) - "In some regions of China, eating fish during Spring Festival is a **custom**." Another point of confusion is **风俗 (fēngsú)** vs. **传统 (chuántǒng)**. * **传统 (chuántǒng) - Tradition:** Broader, more abstract. It can be a value system, an art form, a philosophy (e.g., the tradition of filial piety, traditional Chinese medicine). * **风俗 (fēngsú) - Custom:** More concrete and action-based. It's the specific *practice* or *behavior* that stems from a tradition. * **Tradition (传统):** Family reunion during Spring Festival. * **Custom (风俗):** The specific acts of eating a reunion dinner (团圆饭), giving red envelopes (红包), and setting off firecrackers. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[习惯]] (xíguàn) - A personal habit. The key contrast to the social nature of `fēngsú`. * [[传统]] (chuántǒng) - Tradition. The broader belief system or heritage from which specific `fēngsú` often derive. * [[文化]] (wénhuà) - Culture. The most all-encompassing term; `fēngsú` is a major component of a region's `wénhuà`. * [[习俗]] (xísú) - Custom; convention. A very close synonym for `fēngsú` and often used interchangeably. `习俗` can sometimes feel slightly more formal or official. * [[民俗]] (mínsú) - Folklore; folk custom. Refers specifically to the customs of the common people, often including folk arts, stories, and songs. * [[入乡随俗]] (rù xiāng suí sú) - An idiom: "When entering a village, follow its customs" (lit. enter-village-follow-custom). The most important phrase associated with this concept. * [[礼节]] (lǐjié) - Etiquette; ceremony and protocol. The specific rules of polite conduct, which are a type of `fēngsú`. * [[陋俗]] (lòusú) - A pejorative term for a bad, outdated, or corrupt custom.