Definition
约定俗成 (yuē dìng sú chéng) means 'established by popular usage' — something that has become customary through common agreement and practice, even if not written down. It differs from 传统 (chuán tǒng), which refers to long-standing traditions passed down over generations, and from 常规 (cháng guī), which means a routine or standard procedure, especially in formal contexts.
phrase
established by popular usagecustomaryconventional
Examples
- 约定俗成，。Zhè zhǒng chēnghu suīrán shì yuē dìng sú chéng de, dàn dàjiā dōu jiēshòu.Although this form of address is established by popular usage, everyone accepts it.
- 约定俗成，。Hěn duō gōngsī zhìdù dōu shì yuē dìng sú chéng de, méiyǒu xiě zài zhǐ shàng.Many company rules are established by popular usage; they aren't written down.
- 约定俗成。yuē dìng sú chéng de lǐyí guīfàn yǒushí bǐ fǎlǜ gèng yǒuxiào.Conventional etiquette norms are sometimes more effective than laws.
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