次 男(じなん)

じなん

noun

second son

1. second son, second-born son

The second son born in a family. In traditional Japanese family structure, the second son typically did not inherit the household, unlike the eldest son.

彼(かれ)は三(さん)人(にん)兄弟(きょうだい)の次男(じなん)だ。

He is the second son of three brothers.

次男(じなん)は来年(らいねん)小学校(しょうがっこう)に入(はい)る。

Our second son will enter elementary school next year.

昔(むかし)は長男(ちょうなん)が家(いえ)を継(つ)ぎ、次男(じなん)は独立(どくりつ)するのが一般的(いっぱんてき)だった。

In the past, the eldest son would inherit the household, and the second son would strike out on his own.

次男(じなん) means second son. Part of the Japanese birth-order system that is commonly used in daily life, official documents, and family registers (戸籍(こせき)).

Birth order - sons

長男(ちょうなん): eldest son
次男(じなん): second son
三男(さんなん): third son

Birth order - daughters

長女(ちょうじょ): eldest daughter
次女(じじょ): second daughter
三女(さんじょ): third daughter

Cultural note

In traditional Japanese families, the 長男(ちょうなん) often bears special responsibilities like inheriting the family home and caring for elderly parents. The 次男(じなん) historically had more freedom. This distinction has weakened in modern times but still influences family dynamics.

Related Words

Related: 長男(ちょうなん) (eldest son)

Related: 次女(じじょ) (second daughter)

Related: 息子(むすこ) (son)

Related: 末(すえ)っ子(こ) (youngest child)

general

Added 2026.2.24 15:17 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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