嗣
heir, succeed
Readings
On'yomi
- シ
Kun'yomi
—
Nanori
- あき
- つかさ
- つぎ
- つぐ
- ひで
Meaning
嗣 centers on continuing a family line or role: an heir who succeeds to a position, inheritance, or legacy.
Most common words using 嗣
- 嗣し
succession; successor
- 令嗣れいし
your heir; his heir
- 嗣子しし
heir
- 嗣業しぎょう
succeeding to a business
- 天つ日嗣あまつひつぎ
imperial throne
- 嫡嗣ちゃくし
legitimate heir
- 後嗣こうし
heir; successor
- 日嗣ひつぎ
imperial throne
- 日嗣の皇子ひつぎのみこ
Crown Prince (of Japan)
- 皇嗣こうし
Imperial heir; Crown Prince
- 継嗣けいし
successor; heir; heiress
- 限嗣相続げんしそうぞく
entail (in Western common law); fee tail
- 養嗣子ようしし
adoptive heir
Study
Etymology
嗣 combines 口 (mouth) and 冊 (book/document) with 司 (to administer), suggesting the formal declaration or record of succession. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character is associated with inheritance and continuation.
Meaning mnemonic
The right side 司 looks like an official overseeing something, and the left side suggests a document or record. Picture an official reading a will that names the heir who will succeed to the family estate.
Reading mnemonic
For シ, imagine the heir receiving a sheet of paper that officially names them as successor: sheet -> シ, and the document confirms their new role.