世襲|せしゅうseshuu[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveheredity; heritage
    歌舞伎界かぶきかいでは才能さいのうだけでなく世襲せしゅうも重要じゅうようだ。↗
    In Kabuki not only talent but also heredity counts.
Conjugation
Dictionary form世襲する(せしゅうする)
Polite (masu)世襲します(せしゅうします)
Negative (nai)世襲しない(せしゅうしない)
polite (masen)世襲しません(せしゅうしません)
classical zu / nu世襲せず・世襲せぬ(せしゅうせず・せしゅうせぬ)
Past (ta)世襲した(せしゅうした)
polite (mashita)世襲しました(せしゅうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)世襲しなかった(せしゅうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)世襲しませんでした(せしゅうしませんでした)
Te form世襲して(せしゅうして)
Potential世襲できる(せしゅうできる)
Passive世襲される(せしゅうされる)
Causative世襲させる(せしゅうさせる)
Causative passive世襲させられる(せしゅうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)世襲すれば(せしゅうすれば)
tara世襲したら(せしゅうしたら)
Volitional世襲しよう(せしゅうしよう)
polite (mashou)世襲しましょう(せしゅうしましょう)
Imperative世襲しろ(せしゅうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Related相続そうぞくNeutralA legal term for inheriting an estate; it centers on property rights, while 「世襲」 is about status and occupations passing down through generations.
  • Related継承けいしょうWrittenA written, formal word for inheriting a tradition or undertaking — the stress is on taking it over and carrying it on, as in 「伝統の継承」.
  • RelatedつぐNeutralAn everyday verb for succeeding to or taking over something, as in 「家業を継ぐ」.
  • Related家督相続かとくそうぞくWrittenA written term from the old Civil Code for inheriting the family headship and estate; 「世襲」 stresses hereditary transmission of status and occupations.
  • Related相伝そうでんWrittenA formal word for things passed down and handed on through the generations, as in 「一子相伝」「父祖相伝」; 「世襲」 stresses inheriting status and occupation by bloodline.
  • Related相承そうしょうWrittenA rare word of formal prose for transmission down the generations, focusing on doctrines and scholarly lineages.
  • Antonym実力主義じつりょくしゅぎNeutralA merit system: status and rewards are decided by ability, the opposite of 「世襲」, which passes things on by bloodline.
  • Antonym能力主義のうりょくしゅぎNeutralMeritocracy: posts go by ability and results, the opposite of 「世襲」, where status is inherited generation after generation.

Use 「世襲」 for status or occupations passed down by blood, as in 「世襲議員」「世襲制」. Inherit an estate with 「相続」, carry on traditions with 「継承」, take over with 「継ぐ」, hand things down over generations with 「相伝」. The opposites are 「実力主義」 and 「能力主義」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. ある家いえの地位ちいや身分みぶん、財産ざいさん、職業しょくぎょうなどをその家いえの子孫しそんが代々だいだい伝つたえていくこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

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