habituar

Habituar is a verb used in Portuguese and Spanish with the core meaning of accustoming someone or oneself to a new circumstance, routine or stimulus. It describes the process of making or becoming used to something over time.

In Portuguese, habituar is transitive and often used with a preposition a: habituar alguém a algo, meaning to accustom someone to something. The reflexive form, habituar-se a algo, means to become accustomed to something oneself. Examples include: "O treinador habituou os atletas ao esforço intenso," "Ela se habituou ao novo fuso horário," and "A empresa habituou os funcionários à nova política de segurança."

Etymology traces habituar to the Latin habituare, from habitus, meaning a state or condition. The term has cognates in other Romance languages, reflecting a shared Latin root related to habit or customary state.

In Spanish, habituar carries a similar meaning and construction: "habituar a alguien a algo" or "habituarse a algo." It is commonly used in contexts ranging from education to adaptation, for example: "El profesor habituó a los alumnos a la lectura diaria." While closely related to acostumbrar, habituar is often perceived as slightly more formal or technical in some dialects.

See also: habituación (habituation), acostumbrar/acostumbrarse (to become used to). Habituar is a versatile verb in both languages, central to discussions of adaptation, conditioning and routine development.