custom
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custom
A traditional action or habit that is maintained in a community or culture on certain occasions.
Das Aufstellen eines Maibaums ist in vielen bayerischen Dörfern ein alter Brauch.
Putting up a maypole is an old custom in many Bavarian villages.
'Der Brauch' (custom) belongs to the word family of 'brauchen' (to need) and 'der Gebrauch' (use/usage). A custom is a habit that is traditionally 'used' or practiced in a community.
Der Gebrauch von Feuerwerk an Silvester ist in Deutschland weit verbreitet.
The use of fireworks on New Year's Eve is widespread in Germany.
'Brauch' is often combined with adjectives such as 'alt' (old), 'schön' (beautiful/nice), 'lokal' (local), or 'fest' (firmly established). Typical verbs are 'einen Brauch pflegen' (to maintain/practice a custom) or 'einem Brauch folgen' (to follow a custom).
In unserer Familie pflegen wir den Brauch, am Sonntag gemeinsam zu essen.
In our family, we maintain the custom of eating together on Sundays.
A very useful structure for describing a custom is the sentence 'Es ist Brauch, dass ...' (It is customary that ...). This is followed by a subordinate clause that explains the traditional action.
In vielen Ländern ist es Brauch, dass man dem Gastgeber ein kleines Geschenk mitbringt.
In many countries, it is customary to bring the host a small gift.
law
Ein Brauch is a traditional action or habit that a community regularly observes. Gesetz can also refer to an unwritten social rule, but it places greater emphasis on the fact that the group considers it binding. Use Brauch when the focus is on tradition, and ungeschriebenes Gesetz when the focus is on social pressure or obligation.
Im Dorf ist es Brauch, dass jeder Hochzeitsgast Brot mitbringt.
In the village, it is customary for every wedding guest to bring bread.
Im Dorf gilt das ungeschriebene Gesetz, dass jeder Hochzeitsgast Brot mitbringen muss.
In the village, the unwritten law is that every wedding guest must bring bread.
