養子(ようし)

ようし
noun
adopted child; adoptee
family
1. adopted child; adoptee
A person who has been legally adopted into a family. In Japan, adoption has historically been used not only for children but also for adults, particularly to bring a capable son-in-law into a family to carry on the family name and business.
彼(かれ)は養子(ようし)に出(だ)された。
He was given up for adoption.
子(こ)どもがいない夫婦(ふうふ)が養子(ようし)を迎(むか)えた。
A childless couple adopted a child.
日本(にほん)では家業(かぎょう)を継(つ)がせるために、成人(せいじん)の男性(だんせい)を養子(ようし)に迎(むか)える習慣(しゅうかん)が歴史的(れきしてき)にあった。
In Japan, there was historically a custom of adopting adult men to carry on the family business.

Cultural note

Japanese 養子(ようし)縁組(えんぐみ) (adoption) is distinctive because it includes adult adoption, which is still practiced today. Companies and families without male heirs may adopt a son-in-law (婿(むこ)養子(ようし)), who takes the family name and inherits the family business. Japan has one of the highest rates of adult adoption in the world.

Common collocations

  • 養子(ようし)に出(だ)す (to give up for adoption)
  • 養子(ようし)に迎(むか)える (to adopt; to welcome as an adopted child)
  • 養子(ようし)縁組(えんぐみ) (adoption arrangement)
  • 婿(むこ)養子(ようし) (adopted son-in-law)
  • 養子(ようし)にする (to adopt)

Similar words

  • 養子(ようし): adopted child (legal adoption)
  • 里子(さとご): foster child (foster care, not permanent adoption)
  • 養親(ようしん): adoptive parent

Related Words

Compare: 養親(ようしん) (adoptive parent)
Compare: 継子(ままこ) (stepchild)
Related: 里親(さとおや) (foster parent)
Related: 実子(じっし) (one's own child)
Related: 養女(ようじょ) (adopted daughter)
Related: 養母(ようぼ) (adoptive mother)
Related: 養父母(ようふぼ) (adoptive parents)
general
Added 2026.3.2 17:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
14500/14626_youshi