1.
successor, replacement
A person who takes over someone else's position or role after they leave. Informal in tone and sometimes carries a slightly negative or opportunistic nuance. Originally referred to someone who takes the place of a divorced or deceased spouse.
社長の後釜は誰だろう。
I wonder who will be the president's successor.
辞めた先輩の後釜に座ることになった。
I ended up filling the seat of the senior colleague who quit.
監督の後釜を狙っている人が何人もいるらしい。
Apparently, several people are vying to replace the manager.
ETYMOLOGY:
Literally "the pot after" (後 + 釜). Originally referred to the cauldron placed on the fire pit after the previous one was removed. The meaning extended to a person who replaces another in any position.
USAGE:
Informal. Common in the pattern 後釜に座る (to take someone's place) or 後釜を狙う (to aim for someone's position). Can carry a negative nuance of opportunism. For more formal contexts, 後任 (successor) is preferred.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 後釜に座る: to take someone's place
- 後釜を狙う: to vie for someone's position
- 後釜を探す: to look for a replacement