跡取り|あととりatotori[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. nounheir; heiress; inheritor; successor
   金持かねもちの商人しょうにんはその子こを養子ようしにして跡取あととりとした。↗

   The rich merchant adopted the boy and made him his heir.

• Synonym跡継ぎあとつぎNeutralEveryday word for an heir, almost interchangeable with 「跡取り」; the focus is on succeeding to the family business or estate.
• Synonym継承者けいしょうしゃWrittenWritten term with a wider reach than 「跡取り」: one who carries on a tradition, cause or undertaking, not only a family line.
• Synonym後継者こうけいしゃWrittenWritten-style word for the successor to a position or enterprise; the usual term for a company's next head.
• Synonym後嗣こうしWrittenFormal written term, rarely used; stresses descendants who carry on the family bloodline.
• Synonym嗣子ししWrittenFormal written term, rare and old-fashioned; the person who inherits the family estate, including an adopted heir.
• Related後継こうけいWrittenThe same word あとつぎ in its 「後継」 spelling (not the Sino-Japanese こうけい); this form also turns up in written prose, for an heir to a family estate or to an art or craft.
• Related後任こうにんNeutralNeutral word for the person who takes over a predecessor's post or duties; family succession is not involved.
• Related世継ぎよつぎNeutralNeutral word for the heir of a noble or feudal-lord family; carries a historical flavor.
• Related世子せいしWrittenFormal written term, rare; a Sino-Japanese word for the heir of a feudal lord or noble.
• Related継嗣けいしWrittenFormal written term, rarely used; stresses succession to the family line and sounds more literary than 「跡取り」.
• Related後釜あとがまCasualColloquial word for someone who steps into a vacated position, sometimes with a negative nuance; also a second wife.
• Related嗣しWrittenA single character, rare and written in style, mostly seen in compounds such as 「嗣子」 rather than alone.

Use 「跡取り」 or 「跡継ぎ」 for the heir to a family estate or headship. For a company's or organization's successor pick 「後継者」; for the person taking over a post, 「後任」; for someone filling a vacancy, often negatively, 「後釜」. 「継承者」 is a written word with a wider reach, for carrying on a tradition or cause. 「後嗣」, 「嗣子」, 「世子」, 「継嗣」 and 「嗣」 are rare written or historical words.

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

1. 家督かとくを継つぐこと。また、家督かとくを継つぐ人ひと。