継
inherit, succeed, continue, patch, graft (tree)
Readings
On'yomi
- ケイ
Kun'yomi
- つ.ぐ
- まま-
Meaning
継 centers on keeping something going across a break: inheriting a role, succeeding someone, continuing a line, or joining pieces together like patching cloth or grafting a tree.
Most common words using 継
20 of 156- 継続けいぞくN2
continuation; continuance; maintenance; persistence; going on
- 中継ちゅうけいN2
relay; hook-up
- 後継こうけい
succession
- 継承けいしょう
inheritance; succession; accession
- 引き継ぐひきつぐN1
to take over (someone's duties, business, etc.); to inherit; to succeed to; to carry on (a tradition); to continue
- 引き継ぎひきつぎN1
taking over; handing over; transfer of control; inheriting; passing on the baton
- 継ぐつぐN2
to succeed (a person, to a position, etc.); to inherit; to take over; to follow
- 継ぎつぎ
patch; patching
- 受け継ぐうけつぐN2
to inherit; to succeed; to take over
- 中継ぎなかつぎN1
joining; joint
- 承継しょうけい
succession; accession; inheritance
- 乗り継ぎのりつぎ
transit (passenger); connecting (flight); transfer (ticket)
- 継母ままはは
stepmother
- 跡継ぎあとつぎN1
heir; inheritor
- 継投けいとう
relieving the (starting) pitcher
- 継手つぎて
coupler; coupling; joint; splice
- 継ぎ目つぎめN1
joint; seam; joining point
- 世継ぎよつぎ
heir; successor
- 語り継ぐかたりつぐ
to pass down (a story) from generation to generation; to hand down
- 継ぎ足しつぎたし
addition; extension; elongation
Study
Etymology
継 is the modern simplified form of 繼. The older form combines 糸 (thread) with a phonetic component that also suggests continuation. The modern form retains 糸 and uses a simplified right side that visually contains 米.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 糸 is thread, and the right side looks like 米 (rice) but with extra strokes. Imagine using thread to patch a torn rice sack so the rice keeps flowing: the thread continues the sack's job.
Reading mnemonic
For ケイ, picture a key (ケイ) that unlocks a family inheritance: the key continues the legacy.