noun
Refers to a legally adopted child, historically often a male heir or a son-in-law adopted into the family to carry on the name. In modern usage, it can refer to any adopted child, but the traditional association with a male heir or son-in-law remains strong.
彼は養子として育てられた。
He was raised as an adopted child.
昔は、家
In the past, it was common to adopt a child to carry on the family line.