jìchéng: 继承 - Inherit, Succeed

• Keywords: jicheng, 继承, inherit Chinese, succeed Chinese, inheritance law China, family succession, carry on traditions, heir in Chinese, 继承人, pass down, legacy, estate.
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 继承 (jìchéng), which means to inherit or succeed. This versatile term goes beyond just inheriting money or property; it's deeply connected to Chinese cultural values of family legacy, responsibility, and carrying on traditions. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in legal, business, and cultural contexts, helping you master a word central to understanding Chinese society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìchéng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To inherit property, a title, or a right; to succeed to a position; to carry on a tradition.
• In a Nutshell: 继承 (jìchéng) is the formal act of receiving something from a predecessor and carrying it forward. Think of it as a “hand-off” from one generation to the next. This can be something tangible, like a house or a family business, or something intangible and abstract, like a cultural value, a fighting spirit, or even a royal throne. It implies a sense of duty and continuation, not just a lucky gain.

• 继 (jì): To continue, to follow, to connect. The left side, 纟(sī), is the “silk” radical, suggesting a continuous, unbroken thread. The right side provides the sound. So, 继 visually represents continuing a line or a process without a break.
• 承 (chéng): To receive, to bear, to hold up. This character can be visualized as someone receiving a heavy object with both hands, accepting the weight and responsibility.
• Together, 继承 (jìchéng) literally means “to continue and receive.” This beautifully captures the full meaning: you are not just taking something, you are receiving it to continue its existence or legacy.

In Chinese culture, 继承 (jìchéng) is a concept weighted with far more than just legal or financial meaning. It is intrinsically linked to the core value of 孝顺 (xiàoshùn), or filial piety, and the crucial importance of the family line (血脉, xuèmài). Historically, inheritance wasn't just about distributing assets; it was about ensuring the family's name, honor, and ancestral rites continued. The eldest son (长子, zhǎngzǐ) was traditionally the primary heir, tasked not just with managing wealth but with upholding the family's legacy and caring for his parents and unmarried sisters. Comparison to Western “Inheritance”: While the English word “inheritance” can also imply legacy, it is often viewed through a more individualistic and financial lens—a “windfall” or a transfer of private property. In contrast, 继承 (jìchéng) carries a stronger collective and moral dimension. To inherit in a Chinese context is to accept a duty to one's ancestors and a responsibility to future generations. Refusing to 继承父业 (jìchéng fùyè), or inherit the father's business, could be seen not just as a poor career choice, but as a break in the family chain and a disregard for parental sacrifice. While modern laws in China mandate equal inheritance rights for all children regardless of gender, this deep cultural undertone of responsibility remains.

继承 is a formal term used in specific, significant contexts.

• Legal & Financial: This is the most direct usage. It's the standard term in wills, legal documents, and discussions about property. You 继承 an estate (遗产), assets (财产), and even debts (债务).
  • e.g., 他继承了爷爷留下的一套房子。(Tā jìchéngle yéye liúxià de yí tào fángzi.) - He inherited a house left by his grandfather.
• Business & Positions: It's used when someone takes over a significant role, especially in a family-run enterprise or a monarchy.
  • e.g., 王子将继承王位。(Wángzǐ jiāng jìchéng wángwèi.) - The prince will inherit the throne.
• Abstract & Cultural: This is a very common and important usage. It refers to carrying on non-material things like values, traditions, or a spirit.
  • e.g., 我们应该继承和发扬中华民族的优良传统。(Wǒmen yīnggāi jìchéng hé fāyáng Zhōnghuá mínzú de yōuliáng chuántǒng.) - We should inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of the Chinese nation.
• Technology: In object-oriented programming (OOP), the concept of a subclass inheriting properties from a superclass is also called 继承.

• Example 1:
  • 他是家里唯一的儿子，所以他继承了全部家产。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì jiāli wéiyī de érzi, suǒyǐ tā jìchéngle quánbù jiāchǎn.
  • English: He is the only son in the family, so he inherited all the family property.
  • Analysis: A straightforward example of inheriting material assets (家产, jiāchǎn). This is a common and literal use of the term.
• Example 2:
  • 根据法律，子女不仅继承财产，也可能继承债务。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù fǎlǜ, zǐnǚ bùjǐn jìchéng cáichǎn, yě kěnéng jìchéng zhàiwù.
  • English: According to the law, children not only inherit assets but may also inherit debts.
  • Analysis: This highlights a crucial legal point. 继承 is neutral; it applies to both positive (assets) and negative (debts) inheritances.
• Example 3:
  • 作为长子，他感到有责任继承父业。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi zhǎngzǐ, tā gǎndào yǒu zérèn jìchéng fùyè.
  • English: As the eldest son, he felt a responsibility to inherit his father's business.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the cultural weight of 继承, linking it to responsibility (责任) and family business (父业, fùyè).
• Example 4:
  • 年轻一代应该继承老一辈的革命精神。
  • Pinyin: Niánqīng yídài yīnggāi jìchéng lǎo yíbèi de gémìng jīngshén.
  • English: The younger generation should inherit the revolutionary spirit of the older generation.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of inheriting an abstract concept—a “spirit” (精神, jīngshén). This is common in formal or political speech.
• Example 5:
  • 这位年轻的艺术家继承了她老师的独特风格。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi niánqīng de yìshùjiā jìchéngle tā lǎoshī de dútè fēnggé.
  • English: This young artist inherited her teacher's unique style.
  • Analysis: Here, 继承 means to carry on an artistic style or influence, showing its use in creative fields.
• Example 6:
  • 谁将成为他的合法继承人？
  • Pinyin: Shéi jiāng chéngwéi tā de héfǎ jìchéngrén?
  • English: Who will become his legal heir?
  • Analysis: This shows the noun form, 继承人 (jìchéngrén), meaning “heir” or “successor.”
• Example 7:
  • 查尔斯王子等待了很久才继承了王位。
  • Pinyin: Chá'ěrsī wángzǐ děngdài le hěn jiǔ cái jìchéngle wángwèi.
  • English: Prince Charles waited a long time to inherit the throne.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of 继承 for succeeding a formal title, like a throne (王位, wángwèi).
• Example 8:
  • 学习历史是为了更好地继承文化遗产。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí lìshǐ shì wèile gèng hǎo de jìchéng wénhuà yíchǎn.
  • English: Studying history is for the purpose of better inheriting cultural heritage.
  • Analysis: This connects 继承 with cultural heritage (文化遗产, wénhuà yíchǎn), a very common and important pairing.
• Example 9:
  • 在面向对象编程中，子类可以继承父类的属性和方法。
  • Pinyin: Zài miànxiàng duìxiàng biānchéng zhōng, zǐlèi kěyǐ jìchéng fùlèi de shǔxìng hé fāngfǎ.
  • English: In object-oriented programming, a subclass can inherit the attributes and methods of a superclass.
  • Analysis: A modern, technical usage that shows the versatility of the word's core concept.
• Example 10:
  • 他决定放弃继承权，去追求自己的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Tā juédìng fàngqì jìchéngquán, qù zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: He decided to renounce his right of inheritance to pursue his own dreams.
  • Analysis: This shows the concept of 继承权 (jìchéngquán), the “right to inherit,” and provides a counter-narrative of choosing an individual path over family duty.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 继承 (jìchéng) and 遗传 (yíchuán).

• 继承 (jìchéng): To inherit property, titles, traditions, styles, businesses, debts. (Social/Legal/Cultural)
• 遗传 (yíchuán): To inherit genetic traits; heredity. (Biological)

Think of it this way: You 继承 (jìchéng) your grandfather's watch, but you 遗传 (yíchuán) his blue eyes. Incorrect Usage:

• 他从父亲那里继承了蓝眼睛。 (X)
• Tā cóng fùqīn nàlǐ jìchéngle lán yǎnjīng.
• Why it's wrong: Eye color is a genetic trait. You cannot use 继承 for this.

Correct Usage:

• 他从父亲那里遗传了蓝眼睛。 (✓)
• Tā cóng fùqīn nàlǐ yíchuánle lán yǎnjīng.
• English: He inherited his blue eyes from his father.

Incorrect Usage:

• 他遗传了家族企业。 (X)
• Tā yíchuánle jiāzú qǐyè.
• Why it's wrong: A business is a social/economic entity, not a biological one. You cannot use 遗传 for this.

Correct Usage:

• 他继承了家族企业。 (✓)
• Tā jìchéngle jiāzú qǐyè.
• English: He inherited the family business.

• 遗产 (yíchǎn) - Estate, inheritance, legacy. This is the noun for the things (money, property, culture) that are being inherited.
• 继承人 (jìchéngrén) - Heir, successor. The person who inherits.
• 遗传 (yíchuán) - Heredity, to pass on (genetically). The biological counterpart to 继承, a crucial distinction to learn.
• 传承 (chuánchéng) - To pass on and receive (from generation to generation). Similar to inheriting culture/skills, but often emphasizes the continuous process of both giving and taking.
• 继任 (jìrèn) - To succeed sb. in a post. More specific than 继承, it almost always refers to a formal job or political office.
• 接班 (jiēbān) - Literally “to take over a shift.” A more colloquial term for taking over a predecessor's work or role, often used in workplaces or for political succession.
• 孝顺 (xiàoshùn) - Filial piety. The core cultural value that historically gave 继承 its sense of duty and responsibility.
• 父业 (fùyè) - Father's enterprise/business. A common object of 继承 in family contexts, as in 继承父业.