代々(だいだい)

だいだい

adverb, noun

generation after generation; for generations

1. generation after generation; for generations

Describes something continuing or being passed down through multiple generations of a family or lineage.

この店(みせ)は代々(だいだい)続(つづ)く老舗(しにせ)だ。

This shop is an established store that has continued for generations.

代々(だいだい)受(う)け継(つ)がれてきた伝統(でんとう)を守(まも)る。

To preserve a tradition that has been passed down for generations.

この家(いえ)は代々(だいだい)医者(いしゃ)の家系(かけい)だ。

This family has been a line of doctors for generations.

代々(だいだい) emphasizes continuity through family lineage over multiple generations. It implies that something has been maintained, inherited, or repeated across successive generations of a family or organization.

USAGE:
Used as an adverb modifying verbs (代々(だいだい)伝(つた)わる) or as a noun modifier (代々(だいだい)の当主(とうしゅ)). Common in contexts involving family businesses, traditions, land ownership, and hereditary roles.

COMMON PATTERNS:

代々(だいだい)続(つづ)く: to continue for generations
代々(だいだい)受(う)け継(つ)ぐ: to inherit through generations
代々(だいだい)伝(つた)わる: to be handed down for generations
代々(だいだい)の家業(かぎょう): family business passed down for generations

ALTERNATE READING:
Can also be read よよ in formal or literary contexts with the same meaning.

RELATED WORDS:

世代(せだい): generation (as a noun)
先祖(せんぞ)代々(だいだい): from one's ancestors onward

general

Added 2026.1.16 23:51 · Revised 2026.6.9 5:05

05500/05899_daidai