Vocabulary related to Culture in English

Understanding a country’s culture is an essential part of learning a language. Culture influences how people communicate, celebrate, and live their traditions.

In this article, we’ll explore essential words related to culture in English that will help you expand your vocabulary and gain a deeper appreciation of different cultures around the world.

Let’s get started!

What Is Culture, and What Types of Culture Exist?

Culture refers to the set of behaviors, traditions, and experiences that define a society or group and are constantly evolving. Culture is passed down from generation to generation and shapes the identity of a community.

There are different types of culture, each with distinct characteristics:

Elements That Make Up Culture

Culture consists of various elements that define it and keep it alive within societies. Some of the most important are:

• Language: Language is a fundamental part of culture because it allows for communication and the transmission of traditions. Different languages carry unique expressions and ways of thinking, shaping the identity of a culture.
• Tradition: A tradition is a belief or behavior with symbolic or special meaning that is passed down from generation to generation within a group or society. For example: During Christmas, many families around the world decorate a tree, exchange gifts, and sing carols as part of their traditions.
• Custom: A custom refers to the common practices or habits shared by people within a community. For example, in Japan, it is customary to remove shoes before entering a house as a sign of cleanliness and respect.
• Values: Values are fundamental beliefs that guide behavior within a society, such as honesty, respect, and equality. For example, in many Asian cultures, it is essential to honor and care for older generations as a way of preserving wisdom and family heritage.
• Beliefs: Beliefs are shared knowledge, traditions, or principles that are passed down from one generation to another. For example, in Hinduism and Buddhism, the belief in karma teaches that a person’s actions will have positive or negative consequences in the future.
• Folklore: No, we’re not talking about Taylor Swift’s album! Folklore refers to a collection of stories, legends, and myths passed down within a culture. For example, the legend of La Llorona is a well-known folklore story in Mexico and Latin America, about the spirit of a woman who wanders crying for her lost children.
• Ritual: A ritual is a series of formal and repeated actions or ceremonies that hold special meaning in a culture. For example, the tea ceremony in China is a ritual where tea is prepared and served with specific movements, symbolizing respect and connection between people.
• Norms: They are unwritten rules that guide how people should behave within a society or culture. For example, in many societies, it is a norm to dress formally for weddings, funerals, or job interviews as a sign of respect for the occasion and for those attending.
• Heritage: Heritage refers to valuable material and immaterial assets that are passed down from generation to generation, representing the history and identity of a community. For example, a city’s architecture is part of its cultural heritage, reflecting its historical and artistic legacy.

Essential Cultural Vocabulary List in English

Below is a list of important cultural terms in English, organized into categories to make them easier to distinguish and learn.

Cultural Identity Terms

• Ethnicity: A group to which a person belongs based on shared culture, language, or history. For example, the Zulu ethnicity in South Africa is known for its Zulu language, traditional dances, and rich cultural and political history.
• Nationality: The legal status of belonging to a nation, either by birth or naturalization. For example, the Mexican nationality refers to people born in Mexico or those who have acquired Mexican citizenship.
• Indigenous: Refers to the original inhabitants of a region. For example, the Mapuche people of Chile and Argentina have their own language (Mapudungun), religious ceremonies (Ngillatun), and a deep connection to nature.
• Native: A person born in a specific place or a speaker of a language from childhood. For example, Polynesian natives of the Hawaiian Islands share traditional beliefs, language, and spiritual practices.
• Diaspora: A group of people who have lived outside their homeland for a long time.  For example, the Jewish diaspora refers to the dispersion of Jewish communities around the world while maintaining their traditions and culture.
• Ancestry: A person’s ethnic heritage that influences their cultural identity. For example,  someone with Irish ancestry may have been born in the U.S. but still celebrates Irish traditions like St. Patrick’s Day due to their family heritage.
• Legacy: A set of knowledge, traditions, or material assets passed from one generation to another. For example, the legacy of Roman civilization includes Roman law, architecture, aqueduct systems, and the Latin language, which have greatly influenced modern societies.
• Cultural diversity: The coexistence of different cultures, traditions, languages, and customs in a society. For example, Toronto, Canada is known for its ethnic and cultural diversity, where people from different backgrounds celebrate their traditions while enriching the city’s social life.
• Multiculturalism: It refers to the respectful coexistence of different cultures in the same place. For example, London is home to diverse communities, creating a rich mix of languages, traditions, festivals, and global cuisine.
• Acculturation: The process of adopting cultural traits or social patterns from another group. For example, Latino immigrants in the U.S. may adopt aspects of American culture, like speaking English and using local slang, while still maintaining their own traditions.
• Cultural appropriation: The adoption of cultural elements by another group, often in a controversial way. For example, when people outside Japan wear a kimono as a mere costume or fashion trend without understanding its traditional and cultural significance.
• Taboo: A forbidden or socially unacceptable subject, custom, or behavior within a culture. For example, talking about money is considered a taboo topic in some cultures, as discussing personal finances in public may be seen as inappropriate or impolite.

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Cultural terms about food and cooking

• Gastronomy: The study and art of cooking and the traditional cuisine of a culture. For example, Mexican gastronomy includes traditional dishes like tacos, tamales, and guacamole, which are an essential part of Mexico’s cultural identity.
• Delicacy: A special or rare food, often expensive. For example, jamón ibérico from Spain is a high-quality cured ham known for its exquisite flavor and unique texture.
• Fusion cuisine: A set of traditional recipes and cooking techniques passed down through generations. For example, the sushi burrito is a fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with Mexican food influences.
• Street food: Food that is prepared and sold at street food stalls. For example, the falafel in Egypt, which is a fried chickpea or fava bean patty served in pita bread with fresh vegetables and sauces.
• Culinary heritage: A set of traditional recipes and cooking techniques passed down through generations. For example, the Andean culinary heritage includes traditional dishes that have been preserved for generations in countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
• Traditional dish: A dish that is highly representative of a country or culture. For example, a traditional dish from Portugal is bacalhau à brás, made with shredded codfish, thinly cut potatoes, onions, and scrambled eggs.
• Staple food: An essential ingredient in a region’s daily diet. For example, rice is a staple food in many Asian countries, as it is eaten daily with vegetables, meat, or fish.
• Exotic cuisine: Food that is uncommon in a specific culture. For example, Durian is an exotic fruit in Southeast Asia, famous for its strong smell and unique taste, highly appreciated in Thailand and Malaysia.
• Regional specialty: A dish that is characteristic of a specific area. For example, Poutine is a regional specialty from Quebec, Canada, consisting of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy sauce.
• Food culture: The beliefs, practices, and habits of a community related to food preparation and consumption. For example, Indian food culture is known for its wide variety of spices and herbs that create flavorful dishes.

Artistic and Literary Culture Terms

• Narrative: The structure of a story told in any form of art. For example, the stories of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Mouse, and The Three Little Pigs.
• Poetry: A form of writing with a rhythmic structure. For example, some famous poems are Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, William Wordsworth’s I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud and Walt Whitman’s O Captain! My Captain!
• Prosa: Writing without rhythm or metric structure. Some examples of famous prose are: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, George Orwell’s 1984 and Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. 
• Storytelling: The act of telling stories orally or in writing. Some examples of well-known storytelling are the stories of the Grimm Brothers, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Hansel and Gretel.
• Satire: The art of criticizing through humor or irony in storytelling. For example, there’s political satire, social satire and educational satire.
• Epic: A heroic narrative with mythological elements. For example, The Iliad, The Odyssey and El Cantar del Mío Cid.
• Canon: The most important works in a national or historical literature. For example, Asia's literary canon includes works such as The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu and A Thousand and One Nights.
• Mythology: A collection of myths that represent a culture. For example, Norse mythology includes: Odin and Knowledge, Thor and the Hammer Mjölnir, and Ragnarök.
• Folk tales: Traditional stories passed down within a community. For example, these are some popular tales from Argentina: The Flower of Lirolay, The Tiger Man and The Pombero.
• Calligraphy: The art of writing in a decorative style. For example, there is cursive, italic, and modern calligraphy.
• Visual Arts: Artistic expression through images, including painting, sculpture, and photography. For example, through painting, sculpture or photography.

Festival and Cultural Celebration Terms

• Carnival: A celebration with parades, costumes, and music. Some examples include the Rio de Janeiro Carnival in Brazil, the Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia, and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, United States.
• Festival: A celebration organized to commemorate an important cultural event or tradition on a specific date. Examples include the Glastonbury Festival in the United Kingdom, the Coachella Festival in the United States, and Oktoberfest in Germany.
• Ceremony: A formal act with great cultural or religious significance. Some examples include the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace in the United Kingdom, and the Japanese tea ceremony.
• Feast: A large meal to celebrate a special occasion. Some examples are the Thanksgiving feast in the United States, the royal wedding banquet in monarchies, and the Grape Harvest Festival in Spain and some Latin American countries.
• Parade: An event where people march and dance to celebrate something. Examples include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the United States, the Bastille Day military parade in France, and the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico.
• Commemoration: An event to remember a historical moment or honor an important person in the history or culture of a country. Examples include Presidents’ Day in the United States, Mexico’s Independence Day, and International Women’s Day.
• Traditional Holiday: A culturally or religiously significant celebration in a country. Some examples include the Inti Raymi Festival in Peru, Hanami in Japan, and Diwali in India.
• Fireworks: Pyrotechnic devices made of chemical mixtures that, when ignited or exploded, produce colorful lights, sparks, sounds, and shapes in the sky. They are used in many celebrations and events, such as the Chinese New Year, Independence Day in the United States, and Mexico’s national celebrations.
• Folk Festival: An event showcasing traditional dances, music, and customs. Some examples include the Oruro Carnival in Bolivia, Naadam in Mongolia, and the International Folklore Festival of Zakopane in Poland.
• Pilgrimage: A religious journey to a sacred place. Some examples include the pilgrimage to Fátima in Portugal, the pilgrimage to the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico, and Kumbh Mela in India.

Cultural Terms in Music and Dance

• Symphony: A complex musical composition performed by an orchestra. Examples include Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67 by Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 36 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
• Ritual dance: A dance with religious or cultural significance, performed during ceremonies or festivities. Examples include Hula Kahiko from Hawaii, Barong Dance from Indonesia, and Ngoma from Central and East Africa.
• Chant: A repetitive chant used in religious ceremonies or cultural events. Examples include Gregorian Chants in Europe, Haka in New Zealand, and Yoik in Scandinavia.
• Folk Music: Traditional music passed down through generations within a culture. Examples include Fado in Portugal, Mariachi in Mexico, and Samba in Brazil.
• National Anthem: The official patriotic song of a country. Examples include The Star-Spangled Banner from the United States, God Save the King/Queen from the United Kingdom, and O Canada from Canada.
• Opera: A musical genre that combines singing, theater, and orchestral music. Examples include La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, Carmen by Georges Bizet, and La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini.
• Ballet: A classical dance with precise and expressive movements. Some of the most famous ballets include The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty, all composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
• Regional dance: A cultural expression reflecting a community’s traditions through dance. Examples include the Jarabe Tapatío in Mexico, Flamenco in Spain, and Tango in Argentina and Uruguay.
• Traditional Rhythm: A distinctive sound pattern characteristic of a culture. Examples include Tarantella from Italy, Afrobeat from Nigeria and Ghana, and Son Cubano from Cuba.
• Choir: A group of singers performing music together. Examples can be heard in Hallelujah by Georg Friedrich Händel, O Fortuna by Carl Orff, and even in Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

Conclusion

Culture is a fundamental part of life, and learning English vocabulary related to it helps us better understand the world around us. Knowing these terms makes communication with native speakers easier and allows us to appreciate and respect cultural diversity in our society.

Keep exploring new cultures and traditions while expanding your English skills. A world full of learning opportunities awaits you!