長男(ちょうなん)

ちょうなん
noun
eldest son
formalfamily
See also: 長女(ちょうじょ) (eldest daughter)
1. eldest son; first-born son
The oldest son in a family. In traditional Japanese family systems, the eldest son had special responsibilities including inheriting the household.
彼(かれ)は田中家(たなかけ)の長男(ちょうなん)だ。
He is the eldest son of the Tanaka family.
長男(ちょうなん)が家(いえ)を継(つ)ぐのが当然(とうぜん)とされていた。
It was considered natural for the eldest son to inherit the household.
うちの長男(ちょうなん)は来年(らいねん)大学(だいがく)を卒業(そつぎょう)して就職(しゅうしょく)する予定(よてい)だ。
Our eldest son is scheduled to graduate from university and start working next year.

Compound of 長(ちょう) (eldest/senior) + 男(なん) (son/male).

In traditional Japanese society, the 長男(ちょうなん) held a special position as the heir who would inherit the family name, property, and the responsibility of caring for aging parents. This expectation is less rigid today but still culturally significant.

Common collocations

Usage

In casual speech, people often say 上(うえ)の息子(むすこ) (older son) instead. 長男(ちょうなん) is more formal.

Related Words

Related: 息子(むすこ) (son)
Related: 末(すえ)っ子(こ) (youngest child)
Compare: 嫡男(ちゃくなん) (legitimate son)
Related: 長兄(ちょうけい) (eldest brother)
Compare: 長子(ちょうし) (eldest child)
Compare: 初子(ういご) (firstborn child)
Compare: 長孫(ちょうそん) (eldest grandchild)
Compare: 一人息子(ひとりむすこ) (only son)
general
Added 2026.3.2 14:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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