Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of 'successive generations' in Japanese, from formal historical terms to everyday phrases about family lineage.
To refer to multiple generations in a row, often in historical or formal contexts.
A common noun meaning 'successive generations' or 'successive reigns'. Used for dynasties, office holders, or historical periods.
Often used as an adverb meaning 'from generation to generation' or 'for generations'. Can also be used as a noun.
代々続く家業
a family business that has been passed down for generations
代々受け継がれてきた伝統
a tradition handed down from generation to generation
A formal, somewhat literary term for successive generations. Often used in historical or academic writing.
累代の記録
records of successive generations
To talk about a family line continuing through multiple generations.
Refers to a family line or lineage. Often used when discussing ancestry or genealogy.
彼の家系は代々医者だ。
His family has been doctors for generations.
Literally 'bloodline', emphasizing biological descent through generations.
A set phrase meaning 'from generation to generation of ancestors' or 'ancestral'. Often used in contexts like family graves or traditions.
先祖代々の墓
the family grave passed down through generations
To describe something being passed down or inherited across multiple generations.
A common verb phrase meaning 'to inherit over generations' or 'to pass down from generation to generation'.
この土地は代々受け継がれてきた。
This land has been passed down through successive generations.
Refers to hereditary succession, especially of a position or title. Often used in political or traditional contexts.
世襲政治家
a hereditary politician (from a political dynasty)
To specify a number of successive generations.
歴代 is often used for official lists or records of successive holders of a position (e.g., emperors, presidents). 代々 emphasizes the continuous passing down within a family or group over time. 代々 can also be used adverbially, while 歴代 is typically a noun modifier.
歴代の首相の写真が飾ってある。
Photos of successive prime ministers are displayed.
この店は代々家族で経営している。
This shop has been run by the family for generations.
The English phrase 'successive generations' can sound stiff if translated word-for-word. In many cases, Japanese uses specific counters or set phrases like 代々 or 歴代 instead of a direct equivalent. Using 連続した世代 (れんぞくしたせだい) is unnatural.
✕ 連続した世代
unnatural literal translation
That bloodline has continued for many generations.