Culture & Society — Vocabulary

Reading & Writing

Unit 4 · Customs & traditions

Vocabulary Word List

Review the words, meanings, and examples below before starting the activities. Click the speaker icon to hear the pronunciation. Click any example sentence to hear it read aloud.

Rights

Noun (pl)

Things the law allows you to do.

  • Everyone has the right to speak freely in many countries.
  • Workers fought for better rights at the factory.
  • The law protects children’s rights to education.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Rights on Youglish

Responsibility

Noun

Something that you must look after, deal with, pay for, etc.

  • It is your responsibility to finish the report on time.
  • Parents have a responsibility to care for their children.
  • Owning a pet is a big responsibility.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Responsibility on Youglish

Date back

Phrasal verb

To have existed for a particular length of time, or since a particular time.

  • These ruins date back to the third century.
  • Our friendship dates back to primary school.
  • The tradition may date back hundreds of years.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Date back on Youglish

Formal

Adjective

(Of language, clothes and behaviour) suitable for serious or important occasions; (of clothes, behaviour or language) serious or very polite.

  • Guests wore formal suits and long dresses to the ceremony.
  • Please use formal language in your application letter.
  • She gave a formal greeting when she met the ambassador.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Formal on Youglish

Ritual

Noun

A set of particular actions, and sometimes words, which are part of a ceremony belonging to a particular culture.

  • The wedding ritual included special songs and dances.
  • Morning tea became a daily ritual in our office.
  • Each culture may have its own ritual for saying goodbye.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Ritual on Youglish

Appearance

Noun

The way someone or something looks.

  • Her neat appearance made a good first impression.
  • The old house had a sad appearance after the storm.
  • Do not judge people only by their appearance.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Appearance on Youglish

Culture

Noun

The way of life, especially customs and beliefs, of a group of people.

  • Food and music are important parts of local culture.
  • Students learned about Japanese culture in class.
  • Respecting another culture helps people work together.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Culture on Youglish

Exchange

Verb

To give something to someone and receive something that they give you.

  • We exchange gifts at the end of the year.
  • The two teams will exchange players next season.
  • Visitors often exchange ideas during the workshop.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Exchange on Youglish

Expect

Verb

To think that something will or should happen.

  • We expect rain tomorrow, so take an umbrella.
  • Teachers expect students to arrive on time.
  • I did not expect the news to spread so quickly.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Expect on Youglish

Greet

Verb

To welcome someone with particular words or actions.

  • Hosts greet each guest at the door with a smile.
  • In some places, people greet each other with a bow.
  • The teacher greeted the class and started the lesson.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Greet on Youglish

Relationship

Noun

The way two people or groups feel and behave towards each other.

  • Trust is important in any close relationship.
  • The two countries improved their relationship after the talks.
  • She has a good relationship with her neighbours.

Real World Use Case: 🔗 Relationship on Youglish