() - custom & convention

Tone 2

sú | 9 strokes | radical: 亻

·

custom;

convention;

popular;

common;

vulgar;

secular

customconventionpopular

Usage highlights

CustomsPopular sayingVulgar tasteCommon peopleSecular worldRefined vs. vulgar

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Local customs vary by region (风俗因地而异).
  • This is a popular saying (俗语).
  • He has refined taste, not vulgar (不俗).
  • Ordinary people are called commoners (俗人).

Collocations

  • Customs(风俗)
  • Popular saying(俗语)
  • Vulgar taste(俗气)
  • Common people(俗人)
  • Secular world(俗世)
  • Refined vs. vulgar(雅俗)

Idioms

  • Conform to local customs(入乡随俗)
  • Refined and popular tastes both appreciated(雅俗共赏)
  • Unable to avoid being worldly(未能免俗)
  • Shake off vulgar habits(脱俗)
  • Common customs of the times(时俗)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian thought, '俗' represents social conventions that may need refinement through education.
  • The concept of '雅俗' (refined vs. vulgar) is central to Chinese aesthetic theory.
  • Buddhism uses '俗' to contrast worldly life with monastic/spiritual pursuits.

FAQ