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引き継ぐ (ひきつぐ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-gu), transitive verb
take over ; inherit ; carry on
Used when someone assumes duties, a business, a tradition, or a legacy from a predecessor. Often implies continuity and responsibility.
せん
輩ぱい
から
仕し
事ごと
を
引ひ
き
継つ
い
だ
。
I took over the work from my senior colleague.
2
godan verb (-gu), transitive verb
hand over ; pass on
Focuses on the act of transferring something to a successor. Often used in business or organizational contexts when one person gives responsibilities, information, or assets to another.
Written forms 引ひ き 継つ ぐ Usage 80%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency form in news and everyday use.
引ひき 継つ ぐ Usage 11%
search-only kanji form
Search-only variant; not recommended for active use.
引ひ きつぐ Usage 5%
search-only kanji form
Search-only variant; not recommended for active use.
ひきつぐ Usage 4%
Kanji 継 inherit, succeed, continue Similar words 受う け 継つ ぐ 受け継ぐ emphasizes receiving and continuing something from a predecessor, often with a sense of inheritance or legacy. 引き継ぐ can be used for both taking over and handing over, and is more common in business handover contexts.
継けい 承しょう する 継承する is a more formal, often legal or institutional term for succession or inheritance. 引き継ぐ is the everyday verb for practical handovers and taking over duties.
Etymology Compound of 引き (hiki, continuative form of 引く 'pull') + 継ぐ (tsugu, 'succeed, inherit'). The combination conveys the idea of pulling something forward and continuing it.
