養子(ようし)

ようし
noun
adopted child; adoptee
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
general
Added 2026.3.2 17:35
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