1.
nature, instinct, innate behavior
An animal's innate behavioral pattern or instinct. Used in biology and nature contexts to describe characteristic behaviors of a species.
猫には夜行性の習性がある。
Cats have a nocturnal nature.
渡り鳥の習性を研究している。
I'm researching the behavioral habits of migratory birds.
この昆虫は光に集まる習性があり、夏の夜に街灯の周りに大量に見られる。
This insect has an instinct to gather around light, and large numbers can be seen around streetlights on summer nights.
2.
ingrained habit, second nature
A deeply ingrained habit or behavioral tendency in a person, often one that is hard to change. Implies the behavior has become almost instinctive.
値段を確認するのは職業の習性だ。
Checking prices is a professional habit of mine.
記者の習性で、つい質問してしまう。
Out of a reporter's ingrained habit, I can't help asking questions.
長年の習性は簡単には直らないもので、引退しても朝早く目が覚めてしまう。
Long-standing habits don't change easily — even after retirement, I still wake up early in the morning.
USAGE NOTE:
Sense 1 (animal instinct) is the primary meaning. When applied to people (sense 2), it emphasizes that the behavior is so deeply rooted it has become almost involuntary.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 習性がある (have a habit/instinct)
- 動物の習性 (animal behavior/instinct)
- 職業の習性 (professional habit)
- 長年の習性 (long-standing habit)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 本能: instinct (more fundamental, biological drive)
- 癖: habit, quirk (everyday word for personal habits, often negative)
- 習慣: habit, custom (neutral, broader usage)