How to say "heir" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 跡継ぎあとつぎnounThe everyday word for the person who takes over — a family business, a household, or a position. It simply denotes whoever continues after someone, without implying birthright.
- 家督かとくnounReally denotes the family headship or estate that is succeeded to, not the heir as a person, so it is seldom the word you want when you mean the heir themselves.
- 跡取りあととりnounThe person expected to carry on the family line or household, usually a child of the family; like 跡継ぎ it is an everyday word, and it also serves for a female heir.
- 嫡子ちゃくしnounA formal term for the legitimate, principal heir of a family, as opposed to other children; typical contexts are legal and historical writing about succession.
For the person who takes over a family or business, 「跡継ぎ」 and 「跡取り」 are the everyday choices; 家督 names the headship or estate itself rather than the heir, while 嫡子 is a formal term for the legitimate principal heir.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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