How to say "succeed" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- godan verb, transitive verbFor succeeding a person or taking over what they leave behind — a position, a family business, property. The nuance is continuity: you step into the predecessor's place and carry things on.
- 受け継ぐうけつぐgodan verb, transitive verbAlso for succession and inheritance, but it pictures receiving something handed down from a predecessor — a role, wishes, a tradition. Close to つぐ, with the emphasis on what you receive.
- 替わるかわるgodan verb, intransitive verbHere 'succeed' means plain replacement: one person or thing gives way to another, as when a guard is relieved or an official is replaced. It implies no inheritance or carrying on of a legacy.
- 襲うおそうgodan verb, transitive verbA narrow sense: to succeed someone in a post or role, stepping into their place. Since this verb's primary meaning is 'to attack', you will usually want つぐ or 受け継ぐ to express succession.
Use 「つぐ」 or 「受け継ぐ」 for succeeding a person or inheriting a position or legacy (「受け継ぐ」 stressing what is received), 「替わる」 for plain replacement, and 「襲う」 only in its narrow sense of succeeding to a post or role.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- つぐto succeed (a person, to a position, etc.)
- 受け継ぐうけつぐto inherit
- 替わるかわるto succeed
- やってのけるto succeed (in doing)
- 功を奏するこうをそうするto succeed
- 後を継ぐあとをつぐto succeed (someone)
- 功を奏すこうをそうすto succeed
- 襲うおそうto succeed (someone in a post, role, etc.)
- つぼにはまるto go as expected
- なるto be completed
- 続くつづくto come after
- うけるto follow
- きまるto be well executed (of a manoeuvre in a sport, game, etc.)
See also
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