Translation guide
The English word "succession" covers several distinct ideas: a sequence of things, inheriting a position or property, and the order of inheritance. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
Referring to a number of things or events following one after another.
a succession of visitors · a succession of failures · in quick succession
The most common and versatile word for a continuous series or succession of events, actions, or things. Often used with する to mean 'to continue' or 'to happen in succession'.
He failed repeatedly (in succession).
There was a succession of rainy days.
Used for events occurring one after another, often with a nuance of urgency or rapid succession. Commonly used in news reports.
Accidents occurred in quick succession.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Emphasizes the continuous flow.
Customers came in succession.
Means 'appearing one after another', often used for problems, complaints, or incidents. Slightly formal.
Complaints came in succession.
The act of taking over a role, especially a throne, leadership, or official position.
succession to the throne · the succession of the new CEO · line of succession
The standard term for succession to a position, title, or tradition. Can be used for thrones, leadership, cultural heritage, etc.
The order of succession to the throne was decided.
Specifically refers to inheritance of property or legal rights after someone's death. Not used for positions or titles.
Hereditary succession, especially within a family, such as a family business or political dynasty. Often carries a nuance of tradition or privilege.
The system or line determining who inherits a position or property.
first in line of succession · the succession law · dispute over the succession
継承 (keishō) is used for inheriting intangible things like positions, titles, traditions, or cultural heritage. 相続 (sōzoku) is strictly for inheriting property or legal rights after death. Do not use 相続 for a throne or CEO position.
Succeed to the throne.
Inherit property.
English often uses 'a succession of' as a noun phrase, but Japanese typically uses adverbial expressions like 次々と or 連続して. Using a noun like 連続 directly as a subject can sound unnatural.
The succession of the company president went smoothly.
遺産相続の手続きを始めた。
We started the procedure for succession of the estate.
その会社は世襲で経営されている。
The company is run by hereditary succession.
Check the statutory order of succession.
She has no right of succession.