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.

USAGE:
Part of the birth-order series for 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). These terms are commonly used in family registers, official documents, and everyday conversation about family.

CONTRASTING TERMS:

  • 長男(ちょうなん): eldest son
  • 三男(さんなん): third son
  • 次女(じじょ): second daughter
  • 長女(ちょうじょ): eldest daughter
general
Added 2026.2.24 15:17
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