嗣 (sì) - To inherit & to succeed

嗣Tone 4

sì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

树檀

嗣 · sì

To inherit;

to succeed;

heir;

descendant;

to continue;

to carry on.

To inheritto succeedheir

Usage highlights

HeirTo succeed to the throneTo inheritTo continue the family lineLegal heirTo follow in succession

Synonyms

  • 继— to continue; to succeed
  • 承— to inherit; to carry on
  • 续— to continue; to extend

Antonyms

  • 绝— to cut off; to terminate
  • 断— to break; to discontinue

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is the heir to the throne (嗣位).
  • The eldest son is usually the successor (嗣子).
  • This tradition has been passed down through generations (嗣承).
  • They continued the family business (嗣业).

Collocations

  • Heir(嗣子)
  • To succeed to the throne(嗣位)
  • To inherit(嗣承)
  • To continue the family line(嗣续)
  • Legal heir(嗣君)
  • To follow in succession(嗣继)

Idioms

  • To continue the family line and inherit the ancestral legacy(克嗣良裘)
  • To cut off the descendants(绝嗣)
  • To have no heir(无嗣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, having a male heir (嗣) was crucial for continuing the family line and performing ancestral rites.
  • The concept was central to the Confucian ideal of filial piety, as failing to produce an heir was considered profoundly unfilial.
  • In imperial contexts, the designated crown prince was referred to as 嗣君 or 嗣子.
  • The character embodies the importance of lineage and continuity in Chinese family systems.

FAQ