How to say "inherit" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 受け継ぐうけつぐgodan verb, transitive verbThe straightforward choice for inheriting something from a predecessor: property from one's parents, a family business, a tradition, or a predecessor's spirit or will. It stresses receiving what that person left and carrying it on.
- 引き継ぐひきつぐgodan verb, transitive verbIts core sense is taking over someone's duties, work, or business in a handover; it also covers carrying on a tradition. For inheriting property, 受け継ぐ is the more usual choice.
- godan verb, transitive verbCovers succeeding a person or succeeding to a position — succession in the strict sense. It can also mean inherit or take over, but its focus is succession rather than receiving property.
- 譲り受けるゆずりうけるichidan verb, transitive verbStresses obtaining something by transfer from a previous owner — receiving a house, shop, or business that someone hands over to you. The nuance is a concrete transfer between parties rather than automatic succession.
- 引き受けるひきうけるichidan verb, transitive verbAlthough one gloss is 'inherit', this is seldom the word you want for that sense: it really means to take on or accept a task, role, or responsibility. Use 受け継ぐ or 引き継ぐ for inheriting.
Choose 「受け継ぐ」 for inheriting property, traditions, or someone's will from a predecessor, 「引き継ぐ」 for taking over duties or a business, 「つぐ」 for succeeding a person or position, 「譲り受ける」 for property received by transfer, and avoid 「引き受ける」 for this sense.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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