Translation guide
Describes traits, conditions, titles, or property passed down through family lines. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether you mean genetic inheritance, family succession, or traditional lineage.
Describing diseases, traits, or conditions passed from parents to children through genes.
The most common and neutral way to say 'hereditary' for medical or biological contexts. Literally 'of hereditary nature'.
この病気は遺伝性です。
This disease is hereditary.
I'm researching hereditary disorders.
Similar to 遺伝性の, but slightly more adjectival. Often used in technical contexts.
遺伝的な要因が大きいです。
Genetic factors play a large role.
Verb meaning 'to be inherited' (genetically). Used to say a trait runs in the family.
この特徴は遺伝します。
This trait is hereditary.
Referring to a hereditary title, monarchy, or family profession.
Specifically means 'hereditary' for titles, positions, or occupations passed down through generations. Common in historical or political contexts.
彼は世襲の政治家です。
He is a hereditary politician.
世襲君主制について学んでいます。
I'm learning about hereditary monarchy.
Refers to something handed down within a family, like a secret art or tradition. More literary.
家伝の秘薬です。
It's a hereditary secret medicine.
Describing land, wealth, or heirlooms passed down through generations.
Means 'ancestral' or 'passed down from generation to generation'. Commonly used for land, houses, or heirlooms.
これは先祖代々の土地です。
This is hereditary land.
Legal term for hereditary property or estate. More formal.
世襲財産の相続について話し合いました。
We discussed the inheritance of the hereditary estate.
遺伝性 (idensei) is for biological inheritance (genes). 世襲 (seshū) is for social inheritance (titles, positions). Do not mix them up. Saying 世襲の病気 would be incorrect.
The English word 'hereditary' covers both genetic and social inheritance. In Japanese, you must choose the correct term based on context. Using 遺伝 for a family business would sound strange.