habituado

Habituado is an adjective and the past participle of the verb habituar in Spanish and Portuguese. In both languages it conveys the idea of being accustomed or used to something. Examples include “Estoy habituado a madrugar” in Spanish and “Ele está habituado a trabalhar até tarde” in Portuguese. As a participle, habituado can also function as a descriptive noun phrase, as in “una persona habituada” or “un equipo habituado a la presión.”

Etymology and form. Habituado derives from the verb habituar, itself from Latin habituare or habituatus, related to habitus or habitus-like notions of condition or state. The suffix -ado is a common participial and adjectival ending in Spanish and Portuguese, marking a state resulting from an action (to accustom or to habituate).

Usage and nuance. Habituado is often found in formal or written registers, sometimes preferred over acostumbrado (acostumbrado) to emphasize a state that has been established through experience or training. In everyday speech, acostrumbrado is more common, but both terms are largely interchangeable in meaning. Habituado can describe people, routines, environments, or responses that are familiar and routine.

Related terms and concepts. In psychology, the related term habituación (habituation) describes the process by which an organism reduces its response to a repeated, non-harmful stimulus. This concept is distinct from adaptation or conditioning, though linguistically linked to the same root habit-.

See also: acostumbrar, acostumar, habituación, habituar.