‘民俗’ (mínsú) literally combines ‘民’ (mín), meaning ‘people’ or ‘folk’, and ‘俗’ (sú), meaning ‘custom’, ‘tradition’, or ‘common practice’. Together, they refer to the collective customs, rituals, festivals, beliefs, and everyday practices that have developed organically within a particular community or ethnic group over generations. These are not formal laws or state-mandated rules, but rather informal, shared ways of life passed down orally and through practice—such as Lunar New Year red envelope giving, dragon boat racing, or regional wedding rites.

Folk customs reflect local identity, values, and historical experience. They often involve seasonal celebrations, food preparation, storytelling, music, dress, and taboos. While some 民俗 have become mainstream or even commercialized, scholars and cultural preservationists study them to understand social cohesion, continuity, and change in Chinese society. The term is neutral and respectful, commonly used in academic, documentary, and educational contexts.