(chuán tǒng) - tradition, traditional in Mandarin
chuántǒngTraditional: 傳統
Translation
tradition, traditional
Word origin
A compound of 传 (chuán, to pass on) and 统 (tǒng, an unbroken line or system), so what is handed down along a line.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 传 (chuán, to pass on) + 统 (tǒng, lineage, system)
Stroke order
传
统
Examples
传。
This is a tradition in our family.
传。
He is very fond of traditional Chinese culture.
传。
This shop keeps to the old traditions.
传。
Tradition and modernity can be brought together.
春传。
Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China.
传统 (chuán tǒng) is a tradition and also the adjective traditional, with no change of form between the two. 中国的传统 is China's traditions; 传统文化 is traditional culture. Chinese simply puts it in front of the noun and lets it do adjective work.
Its natural partner is 现代 (xiàn dài, modern), and the pair turns up constantly in writing about food, medicine, architecture and family life. If you are ever asked to compare your country with China, this is the axis the conversation will run along.
Do not confuse it with 习惯 (xí guàn), a habit. A habit belongs to one person and can be broken this week; a 传统 belongs to a family, a trade or a country and is handed down. Saying 我的传统 for something you personally do every morning sounds distinctly grand.
Where this fits
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传统: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "传统" (tradition, traditional): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 45.