相続|そうぞくsouzoku[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbsuccession
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbinheritance
    ジョンは莫大ばくだいな財産ざいさんを相続そうぞくした。↗
    John inherited a large fortune.
Conjugation
Dictionary form相続する(そうぞくする)
Polite (masu)相続します(そうぞくします)
Negative (nai)相続しない(そうぞくしない)
polite (masen)相続しません(そうぞくしません)
classical zu / nu相続せず・相続せぬ(そうぞくせず・そうぞくせぬ)
Past (ta)相続した(そうぞくした)
polite (mashita)相続しました(そうぞくしました)
Past negative (nakatta)相続しなかった(そうぞくしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)相続しませんでした(そうぞくしませんでした)
Te form相続して(そうぞくして)
Potential相続できる(そうぞくできる)
Passive相続される(そうぞくされる)
Causative相続させる(そうぞくさせる)
Causative passive相続させられる(そうぞくさせられる)
Conditional (ba)相続すれば(そうぞくすれば)
tara相続したら(そうぞくしたら)
Volitional相続しよう(そうぞくしよう)
polite (mashou)相続しましょう(そうぞくしましょう)
Imperative相続しろ(そうぞくしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym継承けいしょうNeutralBroader than 「相続」: inheriting systems, techniques, thrones and the like, not just property, as in 「伝統を継承する」; 「相続」 is inheritance of rights and obligations on death.
  • Synonym承継しょうけいWrittenFormal legal term for succeeding to rights and obligations, as in 「事業承継」; in everyday speech use 「受け継ぐ」.
  • SynonymつぐNeutralVerb for succeeding to a family business, the throne and the like, as in 「家業を継ぐ」; 「相続」 focuses on property.
  • Synonym受け継ぐうけつぐNeutralVerb for taking over a predecessor's work or carrying on traditions; 「相続」 refers specifically to inheriting rights and obligations on death.
  • Synonym譲り受けるゆずりうけるNeutralVerb for receiving something transferred from another person; 「相続」 is inheritance that comes about through a death.
  • Related世襲せしゅうNeutralFor status, positions or occupations passed down within a family over generations, as in 「世襲議員」; 「相続」 leans toward property.
  • Related相伝そうでんWrittenWritten word for things handed down from generation to generation, as in 「一子相伝」; 「相続」 is legal inheritance upon death.
  • Related相承そうしょうWrittenWritten word for passing on scholarship or arts from master to disciple; not used in everyday speech.
  • Related継受けいじゅWrittenFormal legal term for taking over or succeeding to something, such as a business; not used in everyday speech.
  • Antonym放棄ほうきNeutralThe opposite of 「相続」 where rights are concerned: giving up or renouncing a right, as in 「相続放棄」.

Use 「相続」 for inheriting property and debts when someone dies. For carrying on traditions or techniques, use 「継承」 or 「受け継ぐ」; for taking over the family business, 「継ぐ」; for positions passed down through generations, 「世襲」. The opposite is 「放棄」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 自然人しぜんじんの死しを契機けいきとして、その人ひとに属ぞくする権利けんり及および義務ぎむを継承けいしょうすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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