Translation guide
The concept of inheritance in Japanese can refer to receiving property or titles after someone's death, inheriting genetic traits, or taking over traditions. The most common word is 相続 (そうぞく) for legal inheritance, while 遺伝 (いでん) is used for genetic inheritance. Other terms cover cultural inheritance, succession, and legacy.
Receiving money, property, or assets from a deceased person, especially in a legal context.
The standard legal term for inheritance of property or estate. Used in formal and everyday contexts.
彼は父親の遺産を相続した。
He inherited his father's estate.
相続税が高すぎる。
The inheritance tax is too high.
Literally 'to take over an inheritance'. A more descriptive phrase, often used when emphasizing the act of receiving.
彼女は祖父の遺産を受け継いだ。
She inherited her grandfather's estate.
Refers to the inheritance itself (the property or assets left behind). Often used with verbs like 残す (leave) or 受け取る (receive).
彼は多額の遺産を残した。
He left a large inheritance.
Passing of biological characteristics from parents to offspring.
The standard term for genetic inheritance. Used for traits, diseases, and heredity.
この病気は遺伝する。
This disease is inherited.
彼の才能は遺伝だと思う。
I think his talent is inherited.
Literally 'to inherit genes'. More specific when talking about DNA.
子供は両親の遺伝子を受け継ぐ。
Children inherit genes from their parents.
Receiving or passing on intangible things like traditions, knowledge, or values.
Used for inheriting traditions, culture, techniques, or a legacy. Often implies active continuation.
伝統文化を継承する。
To inherit traditional culture.
彼は師匠の技を継承した。
He inherited his master's techniques.
A versatile verb meaning 'to inherit' or 'to take over'. Can be used for both tangible and intangible things.
Specifically refers to folklore, legends, or oral traditions passed down. More literary.
Taking over a role, title, or position, often within a family or organization.
Also used for succession to a family headship or title, though less common than for property.
家督を相続する。
To inherit the family headship.
Often used for succession to a throne, leadership, or a formal position.
A common phrase meaning 'to succeed' or 'to take over' a family business or role.
彼は父親の跡を継いで医者になった。
He inherited his father's practice and became a doctor.
A mechanism in programming where a class derives properties from another class.
The standard term in computer science for class inheritance.
このクラスは親クラスを継承している。
This class inherits from the parent class.
相続 is primarily for legal/property inheritance. 継承 is for intangible things like traditions, skills, or programming. 遺伝 is strictly for biological inheritance. Using the wrong one can cause confusion.
遺産を相続する (legal)
inherit an estate
文化を継承する (cultural)
inherit culture
病気が遺伝する (genetic)
disease is inherited
Saying 彼の身長は相続だ is unnatural. Use 遺伝: 彼の身長は遺伝だ (His height is inherited).
That custom has been inherited for generations.
この村には古い伝承が残っている。
Old folklore has been inherited in this village.
王位を継承する。
To inherit the throne.