伝統（でんとう、dentou）
- tradition

The Japanese word 伝統 (でんとう, *dentou*) refers to traditions, customs, heritage, or the passing down of practices, beliefs, and values from one generation to the next. It encompasses a wide range of things, from cultural arts and rituals to social norms and historical knowledge. 伝統 signifies something that has been established over a long period and is considered important to a particular group or society. It implies a sense of continuity and a connection to the past. It often includes practices, skills, and knowledge that are preserved and passed down through generations. • These traditions can be tangible, like traditional crafts or festivals. • Or intangible, like specific ways of thinking or behaving. • It's about the transmission of cultural elements across time.

• 日本の伝統文化 Translation: Japanese traditional culture • 伝統的なお祭り Translation: Traditional festival • その会社には長い伝統がある Translation: That company has a long tradition.

You can use 伝統 in various contexts when discussing: • Cultural practices: Like tea ceremonies, flower arranging (ikebana), or calligraphy (shodo). • Historical events: When referencing historical customs or practices. • Social customs: For example, describing wedding ceremonies or funeral rites. • Arts and crafts: Such as mentioning traditional pottery or textile weaving. • Business and institutions: When highlighting the established practices or values of a company or organization. It's used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the context.

伝統 is written with the kanji 伝統 and read as でんとう. The hiragana reading でんとう is used to pronounce the word. There are no other common ways to write this word. The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is standard.

• 習わし (ならわし - custom, habit) • 慣習 (かんしゅう - custom, practice) • 風習 (ふうしゅう - custom, practice) • 文化 (ぶんか - culture) (can be a broader concept but often overlaps with 伝統)

There aren't direct antonyms for 伝統 in the same way as words like "hot" and "cold." However, words that imply a departure from or opposition to 伝統 could be considered antonyms in a loose sense: • 革新 (かくしん - innovation) • 現代 (げんだい - modern) • 新しい (あたらしい - new)

日本の伝統的なお正月のお祝いは、家族みんなで集まることです。 ・Translation: The traditional Japanese New Year celebration is for the whole family to gather. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a specific cultural tradition: the practice of families gathering during the New Year.

そのお店は、創業100年の伝統を守り続けています。 ・Translation: That shop continues to uphold its 100-year-old tradition. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights how a business maintains its established practices and values over a long period.

The word 伝統 is a compound word. The first kanji 伝 (でん - *den*) means "to transmit, to convey, to communicate," and the second kanji 統 (とう - *tou*) means "to unify, to govern, to lead, to control." Together, they combine to express the idea of transmitting or passing down something unified or established over time. This accurately reflects the meaning of 伝統 as a cultural practice.