受け継ぐ در ۳۰ ثانیه
- To inherit or take over a legacy.
- Used for family, business, and genetics.
- Implies continuity and responsibility.
- Distinguished from legal inheritance (souzoku).
The Japanese verb 受け継ぐ (uketsugu) is a compound verb that beautifully captures the essence of continuity and legacy. It is formed by combining ukeru (to receive) and tsugu (to join or succeed). In its most literal sense, it means to receive something from a predecessor and carry it forward. While English often distinguishes between inheriting money, succeeding a leader, or taking over a project, Japanese uses 受け継ぐ as a versatile umbrella term for all these actions, provided there is a sense of 'handing over' the baton. This word is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where the preservation of lineage, craftsmanship, and tradition is highly valued. Whether it is a family-run sushi shop passing from father to daughter or a specific set of genetic traits passed through generations, this verb describes the bridge between the past and the future.
- Core Concept
- The act of taking over a role, property, or tradition from someone else to ensure its continuation. It implies a responsibility to maintain what has been received.
- Biological Context
- Used when discussing physical traits or DNA inherited from parents. For example, inheriting blue eyes or a predisposition for music.
- Professional Context
- Used in business for succession planning or taking over a specific job position from a retiring colleague.
父から伝統的な技術を受け継ぐことにしました。
(I decided to inherit the traditional techniques from my father.)
When using this word, the focus is not just on the acquisition of the object, but on the transition. It carries a nuance of respect for the predecessor. If you simply 'get' something without the sense of continuity, you might use morau (to receive) or souzoku suru (to legally inherit). However, 受け継ぐ suggests that the thing being received has a history and a future that you are now part of. This is why it is the preferred term for cultural assets, spiritual legacies, and family values. It represents the thread that connects generations, ensuring that knowledge and identity do not vanish with the individual.
私たちは平和への願いを次世代に受け継ぐ義務がある。
(We have a duty to pass down the wish for peace to the next generation.)
Furthermore, the word is used in abstract settings. You can inherit a 'will' or a 'spirit' (ishi or seishin). This is common in sports or political contexts where a leader steps down and a successor vows to continue their vision. The verb emphasizes that the vision remains alive through the new person. It is a transitive verb, usually taking the particle を for the object being inherited and から for the person from whom it is received.
- Synonym Comparison
- Compared to hikitsugu (to take over), uketsugu sounds more permanent and often relates to deeper legacies like genes or traditions, whereas hikitsugu is often used for work tasks or shifts.
Using 受け継ぐ correctly involves understanding the relationship between the giver, the receiver, and the legacy. The typical sentence structure is: [Receiver] は [Giver] から [Object] を 受け継ぐ. This indicates that the receiver has taken the object from the giver. It is important to note that the giver is often an ancestor, a parent, or a predecessor, emphasizing a vertical relationship through time. In Japanese society, this verb is frequently used in the passive form (uketsugareru) to describe traditions that 'are passed down' by the community or family as a whole.
この時計は、祖父から代々受け継がれてきたものです。
(This watch is something that has been passed down from my grandfather for generations.)
- Temporal Usage
- When using ~te kuru with uketsugu, it emphasizes that the tradition has been coming down from the past to the present. Conversely, ~te iku suggests the intention to pass it forward into the future.
- Abstract Objects
- You can use it with words like seishin (spirit), ishi (will), dentou (tradition), and chi (blood). For example, inheriting the 'spirit' of a company founder.
In formal settings, such as business ceremonies or graduation speeches, 受け継ぐ serves to link the departing individual's achievements with the successor's future responsibilities. It is a word of weight and gravity. For instance, a new CEO might say they are honored to uketsugu the founder's vision. In this context, it isn't just about the job title; it is about the moral and philosophical direction of the company. It suggests that the new leader is not starting from zero, but building upon a foundation.
彼女は母親の音楽の才能を見事に受け継いでいる。
(She has brilliantly inherited her mother's musical talent.)
When talking about genetics, the verb is almost always used in the active voice. You 'inherit' traits. It is common to hear parents or relatives debating which child uketsuida which parent's features. 'He inherited his father's stubbornness' or 'She inherited her grandmother's smile.' This usage is slightly more casual but still carries the weight of biological continuity. It is rarely used for negative things like debt (for which shakkin o seou is better), unless you are speaking about the historical 'legacy' of a mistake.
新しい店長が、前任者の仕事を受け継いだ。
(The new manager took over the work of the predecessor.)
You will encounter 受け継ぐ in various media and real-life scenarios, often where history and human connection intersect. One of the most common places is in documentaries about traditional crafts (dentou kougei). Japan takes great pride in its artisans, such as swordsmiths, potters, and kimono weavers. In these programs, you will often hear the narrator say, 'The secret technique has been uketsugareru for 400 years.' This highlights the sanctity of the knowledge and the dedication required to keep it alive.
この村の祭りは、古くから若者たちによって受け継がれてきた。
(The festival of this village has been passed down by young people since ancient times.)
Another frequent setting is family dramas (homu dorama) or movies. These stories often revolve around a child deciding whether to take over the family business (shukuba, ryokan, or local clinic). The tension between modern career desires and the duty to uketsugu the family legacy is a classic trope in Japanese storytelling. In these scenes, elders might plead with the youth to 'receive and continue' the family name, using the word with deep emotional resonance.
- News & Politics
- When a prominent political figure or the Emperor passes on their duties, news anchors use uketsugu to describe the transition of power and the continuation of the era's spirit.
- Sports Journalism
- When a legendary player retires and gives their jersey number to a rookie, commentators talk about uketsugareru traditions and the 'soul' of the team being passed on.
In everyday life, you might hear this word during New Year's celebrations or family gatherings. When a grandmother teaches her granddaughter how to make the family's secret osechi-ryori (New Year's food), she might say, 'I want you to uketsugu this taste.' Here, it is used warmly, signifying the passing of love and memory through physical skills. It is also common in school graduation ceremonies, where the student body president promises to uketsugu the school's traditions and honors from the graduating class.
創業者の精神は、今も社員一人ひとりに受け継がれている。
(The spirit of the founder is still inherited by every single employee today.)
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 受け継ぐ (uketsugu) with 引き継ぐ (hikitsugu). While they look similar and both involve 'taking over,' their nuances are distinct. Hikitsugu is primarily used for the technical handover of tasks, duties, or information, especially in a business context. For example, if you leave a job, you hikitsugu your files and current projects to your replacement. Uketsugu, however, implies a deeper, more permanent connection to the 'legacy' or 'essence' of what is being handed over. You uketsugu a family business, but you hikitsugu a spreadsheet.
❌ 昨日の会議の資料を受け継いだ。
✅ 昨日の会議の資料を引き継いだ。
(I took over the materials from yesterday's meeting.)
- Mistake: Using with Debt
- Learners often use uketsugu for negative inheritances like debt. In Japanese, uketsugu usually implies something valuable or meaningful. For debt, use shakkin o hikitsugu (if taking over the responsibility) or shakkin o seou (to shoulder debt).
- Mistake: Mixing with 'Morau'
- If you simply get a gift from a senior, use morau or itadaku. Using uketsugu makes it sound like the gift is a sacred relic of their legacy, which might sound overly dramatic for a simple souvenir.
Another common error is using uketsugu when the legal process of inheritance is the focus. If you are talking about the legal transfer of property, taxes, and lawyers, 相続する (souzoku suru) is the correct term. Uketsugu is more about the social and emotional act of carrying on. For example, you souzoku a plot of land (the legal fact), but you uketsugu the family farm (the lifestyle and tradition).
❌ 遺産を受け継ぐ手続きをする。
✅ 遺産を相続する手続きをする。
(To do the procedures to inherit an estate.)
Lastly, ensure you don't confuse uketsugu with tsugu (to succeed). While uketsugu is the process of receiving and continuing, tsugu is often used specifically for 'succeeding to a throne' or 'taking over a family business' as a title. Uketsugu is broader and can apply to the spirit, the items, and the responsibilities simultaneously.
To master 受け継ぐ, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and scope. The most formal alternative is 継承する (keishou suru). This is a Sino-Japanese (kango) word used in official documents, history books, and formal ceremonies. It sounds academic and dignified. For example, the 'succession of the Imperial Throne' is always koui keishou. You would use this when discussing the preservation of 'intangible cultural heritage' (mukei bunka isan no keishou).
- 引き継ぐ (Hikitsugu)
- Focuses on the handover process. Ideal for business tasks, shift changes, and project management. It is more about the 'transfer' than the 'legacy'.
- 相続する (Souzoku suru)
- The legal term for inheriting money, property, or assets after someone's death. Use this for taxes and legal rights.
- 継ぐ (Tsugu)
- A simpler version of uketsugu. Often used for 'taking over' a specific role or business: ato o tsugu (to succeed someone).
伝統文化を次世代に継承する。
(To succeed/pass down traditional culture to the next generation.)
Another interesting alternative is 伝承する (denshou suru). This specifically refers to passing down stories, legends, or folklore. While uketsugu involves a person receiving something to use or maintain, denshou is about the act of 'transmitting' information or legends through generations. If a village has a story about a dragon, that story is denshou. If a son takes his father's sword to protect the village, he uketsugu the sword.
In modern slang or casual business talk, you might hear バトンタッチする (baton tatchi suru). This comes from 'baton touch' in a relay race. It is a friendly, metaphorical way to say someone is taking over a role or a project. It lacks the historical weight of uketsugu but is very common in office environments or community events. For example, 'I'm baton tatchi-ing the chairmanship to Tanaka-san next year.'
プロジェクトのリーダーを彼に引き継いだ。
(I handed over the project leader role to him.)
نکته جالب
The kanji for 'tsugu' (継) contains the radical for 'thread' (糸), symbolizing the literal sewing together or connecting of disparate parts into a continuous line.
راهنمای تلفظ
- Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su'.
- Over-emphasizing the final 'u' sound (it is often voiceless).
- Mixing up the 'gu' with 'ku'.
مثالها بر اساس سطح
父の時計を受け継ぐ。
I inherit my father's watch.
Direct object marked with を.
名前を受け継ぐ。
To inherit a name.
Simple noun + verb.
母の指輪を受け継ぎました。
I inherited my mother's ring.
Polite past tense form.
古い家を受け継ぐ。
To inherit an old house.
Adjective + noun + verb.
この本を受け継いでください。
Please inherit (take over) this book.
Te-form + kudasai for request.
私は歌を受け継ぐ。
I inherit the song.
Abstract noun usage.
姉から服を受け継ぐ。
I inherit clothes from my sister.
Source marked with から.
宝物を受け継ぐ。
To inherit a treasure.
Direct object usage.
私は父からこの店を受け継ぎました。
I took over this shop from my father.
Standard source-receiver pattern.
彼女は母の美しい目を受け継いでいる。
She has inherited her mother's beautiful eyes.
Te-iru form for state of being.
兄は祖父の家を受け継ぐつもりです。
My brother intends to inherit our grandfather's house.
Tsumori indicates intention.
この伝統を大切に受け継ぎたい。
I want to carefully pass down (inherit) this tradition.
Tai-form for desire.
彼は父親の才能を受け継いだ。
He inherited his father's talent.
Past tense for completed inheritance.
私たちはこの技術を受け継ぐ。
We inherit this technique.
Plural subject.
誰がこの仕事を受け継ぎますか？
Who will take over this job?
Question word usage.
先祖の土地を受け継ぐ。
To inherit ancestral land.
Possessive noun usage.
この祭りは１００年以上も受け継がれている。
This festival has been passed down for over 100 years.
Passive progressive form (uketsugarete-iru).
創業者の精神をしっかりと受け継ぐ。
To firmly inherit the spirit of the founder.
Adverb 'shikkari' emphasizes the action.
次世代に平和な世界を受け継ぎたい。
I want to pass down a peaceful world to the next generation.
Target marked with 'ni' (next generation).
彼は伯父の遺志を受け継いで政治家になった。
He became a politician, carrying on his uncle's dying wish.
Abstract noun 'ishi' (will/wish).
その古い習慣は今も受け継がれている。
That old custom is still being passed down today.
Passive voice indicates general continuity.
彼女は祖母の料理の味を見事に受け継いだ。
She brilliantly inherited the taste of her grandmother's cooking.
Metaphorical use for 'taste'.
伝統工芸の技を受け継ぐ若者が減っている。
The number of young people inheriting traditional craft skills is decreasing.
Relative clause modifying 'wakamono'.
私たちは歴史を受け継ぐ責任がある。
We have a responsibility to inherit (carry on) history.
Noun 'sekinin' (responsibility) collocation.
彼は前任者の職務を受け継ぎ、改革を進めた。
He took over the duties of his predecessor and pushed forward with reforms.
Connecting two actions with the stem form (uketsugi).
この土地には、古代から受け継がれた伝説がある。
In this land, there are legends passed down from ancient times.
Passive past form as an adjective.
企業文化をいかに受け継ぐかが課題だ。
The challenge is how to inherit the corporate culture.
Question word 'ikani' + 'ka' for indirect question.
彼は両親から音楽的な才能を色濃く受け継いでいる。
He has strongly inherited musical talent from his parents.
Adverb 'irokoku' (strongly/distinctly).
平和への祈りは、形を変えて受け継がれていく。
The prayer for peace will be passed down, changing its form.
~te iku indicates future continuity.
その技術は門外不出として受け継がれてきた。
That technique has been passed down as a closely guarded secret.
Adverbial phrase 'mongai fushutsu' (never allowed outside).
新社長は創業時の理念を忠実に受け継いでいる。
The new president faithfully inherits the philosophy from the time of founding.
Adverb 'chuujitsu ni' (faithfully).
私たちは先人の知恵を受け継ぎ、未来を切り拓く。
We inherit the wisdom of our predecessors and carve out the future.
Formal literary style.
文明の利器を享受する一方で、我々は負の遺産も受け継いでしまった。
While enjoying the conveniences of civilization, we have also inherited a negative legacy.
Contrast using 'on the other hand' (~ippou de).
その思想は、数世紀の時を経て現代に受け継がれている。
That ideology has been passed down to the present day across several centuries.
'Toki wo hete' (through time) expression.
血脈を受け継ぐ者としての誇りと重圧を感じる。
I feel the pride and pressure of being one who inherits the bloodline.
'Mono to shite' (as a person who...).
彼は師匠の芸風を単に模倣するのではなく、精神を受け継いだ。
Instead of merely imitating his master's style, he inherited the spirit.
'Dewa naku' (not A, but B) structure.
人類の知的遺産を受け継ぎ、発展させるのは我々の責務だ。
It is our duty to inherit and develop the intellectual heritage of humanity.
Formal 'sekimu' (duty) usage.
歴史の荒波を乗り越え、その教えは連綿と受け継がれてきた。
Overcoming the stormy seas of history, those teachings have been passed down continuously.
'Renmen to' (continuously/unbroken).
彼は王朝の正統な血統を受け継ぐ唯一の生存者だった。
He was the sole survivor inheriting the legitimate bloodline of the dynasty.
'Seitou na' (legitimate/orthodox).
無意識のうちに親の価値観を受け継いでいることが多い。
We often inherit our parents' values unconsciously.
'Muishiki no uchi ni' (unconsciously).
万物流転の中で、変わらぬ本質を受け継ぐことの困難さを説く。
He preaches the difficulty of inheriting an unchanging essence amidst the flux of all things.
'Banbutsu ruten' (all things flow) idiom.
その法体系はローマ法の精神を色濃く受け継いで構成されている。
The legal system is constructed, strongly inheriting the spirit of Roman law.
Passive construction in complex sentence.
我々は進化の過程で、太古の記憶を遺伝子レベルで受け継いでいる。
In the process of evolution, we inherit ancient memories at a genetic level.
Scientific/Philosophical register.
伝統の継承とは、形式をなぞることではなく、その魂を受け継ぐことに他ならない。
Succession of tradition is nothing other than inheriting its soul, not merely tracing its forms.
'Ni hoka naranai' (nothing other than).
言語という媒体を通じて、人類の叡智は世代を超えて受け継がれる。
Through the medium of language, the wisdom of humanity is passed down across generations.
'Baichai' (medium) and 'Eichi' (wisdom).
個の死を超越して、意志が受け継がれる瞬間に崇高さを覚える。
I feel a sense of the sublime at the moment a will is inherited, transcending the death of the individual.
'Suukousa' (sublimity) and 'chouetsu' (transcendence).
彼は失われた文明の最後の欠片を受け継ぐ宿命を背負っていた。
He bore the fate of inheriting the last fragments of a lost civilization.
Literary 'shukumei' (fate) and 'seou' (to bear).
文化の真正性は、いかにしてその核心が受け継がれるかにかかっている。
The authenticity of a culture depends on how its core is passed down.
'Shinseisei' (authenticity) and 'ni kakatte iru' (depends on).
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
— Passed down for generations.
この家宝は代々受け継がれてきた。
— To pass down to future generations.
美しい自然を後世に受け継ごう。
— To inherit/carry on firmly or properly.
教えをしっかりと受け継ぐ。
— To inherit or take over brilliantly/perfectly.
彼は父の才能を見事に受け継いだ。
— To take over exactly as is.
前任者のやり方をそのまま受け継ぐ。
— To inherit legitimately.
正統な血統を受け継ぐ者。
— To be passed down continuously like a pulse.
伝統が脈々と受け継がれている。
— To carry on someone's intent or will.
彼の遺志を僕たちが受け継ぐ。
— To take over a role or duty.
重要な役目を受け継ぐ。
— To inherit or carry on a culture.
独自の文化を受け継ぐ。
اصطلاحات و عبارات
— To pass/receive the baton (metaphorical for responsibility).
次の世代にバトンを受け継ぐ。
Casual/Business— To take over the 'signboard' (reputation/business) of a shop.
老舗の看板を受け継ぐ。
Business/Traditional— To inherit blood (similar to uketsugu genes).
名家の血を引いている。
Neutral— To follow/succeed someone's position.
父の後を継いで社長になる。
Neutral— To grow up watching someone's back (learning by example to inherit skills).
職人の父の背中を見て育ち、技を受け継いだ。
Idiomatic— To succeed to a name (common in Kabuki/traditional arts).
五代目の名を継ぐ。
Formal— To connect the sash (relay race metaphor for passing duties).
次の走者にたすきを受け継ぐ。
Sports/Metaphorical— To derive from a certain school of thought or style.
その流派の流れを汲んでいる。
Formal— To inherit the master's robes and bowl (to succeed a master's teaching).
師匠の衣鉢を継ぐ。
Literary/Buddhist— To succeed to the 'tracks' (position/house).
家の跡を継ぐ。
Neutralخانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
صفتها
مرتبط
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Uke (Receive) + Tsugu (Connect). You 'Receive' the baton and 'Connect' it to the future.
تداعی تصویری
A relay race where a runner receives (ukeru) a baton and continues (tsugu) the race.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to find three things in your house that you 'uketsuida' from your parents or grandparents.
ریشه کلمه
A compound of 'ukeru' (受ける) meaning 'to receive' and 'tsugu' (継ぐ) meaning 'to connect' or 'to succeed'.
معنای اصلی: To receive something and connect it to the next point in time.
Japonicبافت فرهنگی
Be careful when using it for 'inheriting' negative traits from parents in front of them, as it can be seen as blaming their lineage.
In the West, inheritance is often viewed through a legal or financial lens (money/property). 'Uketsugu' is closer to the concept of 'carrying the torch' or 'legacy'.
Summary
受け継ぐ (uketsugu) is a powerful verb for 'passing the torch.' Whether it's genes, a shop, or a secret recipe, use this word when you want to emphasize that something important is being kept alive by a new person. Example: 'Dentou wo uketsugu' (To carry on a tradition).
- To inherit or take over a legacy.
- Used for family, business, and genetics.
- Implies continuity and responsibility.
- Distinguished from legal inheritance (souzoku).
محتوای مرتبط
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
واژههای بیشتر family
還暦
B1کانرکی جشن سنتی ژاپنی برای تولد ۶۰ سالگی است.
〜くらい
B1این کلمه به معنی "حدود" یا "تا حدی که" است. برای بیان تقریبی یا درجه استفاده می شود.
認め合う
B1یکدیگر را به رسمیت شناختن؛ به ارزش یکدیگر پی بردن.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2کسی که او را از نظر می شناسید اما نه از نظر شخصی. شخصی که چهره اش آشناست اما رابطه نزدیکی ندارد.
甘える
B1ناز کردن، چاپلوسی کردن؛ در روابط نزدیک، با تکیه بر مهربانی و اغماض دیگران، مانند کودکی لوس رفتار کردن.
活発な
B1فعال؛ پرجنب و جوش. 'یک کودک بسیار فعال.' 'بحث پرشور.'
思春期
B1نوجوانی؛ دوره انتقال از کودکی به بزرگسالی.
養子
B1فرزندی که به طور قانونی در خانوادهای غیر از خانواده بیولوژیکی خود پذیرفته شده است.
養親
B2والد خوانده. شخصی که به طور قانونی والدین فرزندی میشود که فرزند بیولوژیکی او نیست.
