踏襲・蹈襲|とうしゅうtoushuu[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
踏襲踏襲 is the more common written form and the practical choice for learners; it is the form you are most likely to encounter in writing.
蹈襲蹈襲 is a rarely used written variant of 踏襲; learners will generally encounter and use 踏襲 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbfollowing (a precedent, former policy, etc.); continuing with; sticking to; observing
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 踏襲する（とうしゅうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 踏襲します（とうしゅうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 踏襲しない（とうしゅうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 踏襲しません（とうしゅうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 踏襲せず・踏襲せぬ（とうしゅうせず・とうしゅうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 踏襲した（とうしゅうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 踏襲しました（とうしゅうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 踏襲しなかった（とうしゅうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 踏襲しませんでした（とうしゅうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 踏襲して（とうしゅうして） |
| Potential | 踏襲できる（とうしゅうできる） |
| Passive | 踏襲される（とうしゅうされる） |
| Causative | 踏襲させる（とうしゅうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 踏襲させられる（とうしゅうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 踏襲すれば（とうしゅうすれば） |
| tara | 踏襲したら（とうしゅうしたら） |
| Volitional | 踏襲しよう（とうしゅうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 踏襲しましょう（とうしゅうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 踏襲しろ（とうしゅうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Related準拠じゅんきょFormalFormal. Means being based on a standard or specification, as in 「教科書準拠」; it leans toward conforming to specs, while 踏襲 is about keeping past practice as is.
- RelatedならうNeutralNeutral. Means imitating or modeling oneself on something, as in 「先例に倣う」; it is about copying an example, whereas 踏襲 stresses continuing it unchanged.
- Related準ずるじゅんずるFormalFormal. Means applying a rule or treatment by analogy, as in 「正社員に準ずる」; 踏襲 instead means carrying on a predecessor's policy or practice as it stands.
- Related準じるじゅんじるFormalFormal. Synonymous with 「準ずる」: treating something by analogy with a standard. 踏襲, by contrast, means carrying on past practice unchanged.
- Related則るのっとるWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means acting in accordance with rules or precedents, as in 「法に則る」; 踏襲 stresses carrying on a predecessor's way of doing things unchanged.
- Antonym革新かくしんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means reform or innovation — changing old systems and practices — the direct opposite of 踏襲's carrying them on.
- Antonym変更へんこうNeutralNeutral. Means changing or revising something, the opposite of 踏襲, which keeps a policy or practice just as it was.
Use 「踏襲」 for carrying on a predecessor's policy or practice unchanged, as in 「前政権の路線を踏襲する」. Use 「則る」 for following rules, 「倣う」 for imitating an example, the formal 「準拠」「準ずる」「準じる」 for conforming to standards, and 「革新」「変更」 for changing things instead.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
