跡継ぎ・後継ぎ・跡継・後継|あとつぎatotsugi[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. nounheir; inheritor
2. nounsuccessor

• Synonym跡取りあととりNeutralNearly synonymous: the one who takes over the family headship, often the eldest son. 「跡継ぎ」 is broader, also covering successors to a business or craft.
• Synonym後継こうけいWrittenWritten Sino-Japanese word for succession or succeeding to a post, mostly in compounds like 「後継者」 and 「後継機」. Native 「跡継ぎ」 leans toward heirs of a family business.
• Synonym継嗣けいしWrittenOld written term for the heir of a family. In everyday speech 「跡継ぎ」 is what you would say.
• Synonym継承者けいしょうしゃNeutralSomewhat formal and wider in scope: one who inherits an art, a tradition, a throne and the like, whereas 「跡継ぎ」 typically means the heir to a family business or shop.
• Synonym後継者こうけいしゃNeutralNeutral term for someone who takes over a position or enterprise, common in business and politics. 「跡継ぎ」 suggests an heir within the family.
• Related世継ぎよつぎNeutralHeir to a monarch or noble house, with a historical flavor. 「跡継ぎ」 is used for heirs in ordinary families and shops.
• Related世子せいしWrittenWritten historical word for the legitimate heir of a feudal lord or noble. Not used in everyday conversation.
• Related後釜あとがまCasualColloquial: whoever steps into a position a predecessor has vacated; also a second wife, sometimes derogatory. 「跡継ぎ」 is about inheriting a family business.
• Related後嗣こうしWrittenRare written word for an heir or descendants. In daily speech say 「跡継ぎ」.
• Related嗣子ししWrittenOld written term for the son who succeeds to the family business. In everyday use say 「跡継ぎ」 or 「跡取り」.
• Related嗣しWrittenSingle character, rare and written: succession or an heir, as in 「嗣を立てる」. Everyday speech uses 「跡継ぎ」.

「跡継ぎ」 and 「跡取り」 are the everyday words for the heir to a family business or shop, 「跡継ぎ」 the broader default. Use 「後継者」 for a successor in business or politics, 「世継ぎ」 for heirs of monarchs and nobles, and the somewhat formal 「継承者」 for carrying on an art, tradition or throne. 「後釜」 is colloquial for filling a vacated seat. The other terms are written or old; in speech say 「跡継ぎ」.

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

1. 後あとを継つぐこと。後あとを継つぐ人ひと。
2. あとぞなえ。