嫡男(ちゃくなん)

ちゃくなん
noun
legitimate son; male heir
formalhistoryfamily
1. legitimate son; male heir; eldest legitimate son
The eldest son born to the legal wife, who has the right of succession. A historical and legal term often encountered in discussions of Japanese feudal history, samurai families, and inheritance.
嫡男(ちゃくなん)が家督(かとく)を継(つ)いだ。
The legitimate son inherited the family headship.
殿様(とのさま)の嫡男(ちゃくなん)は幼(おさな)くして亡(な)くなった。
The lord's legitimate heir died at a young age.
嫡男(ちゃくなん)ではなく次男(じなん)が藩主(はんしゅ)になるのは異例(いれい)のことだった。
It was unusual for the second son rather than the legitimate heir to become the domain lord.

Usage

嫡男(ちゃくなん) is primarily a historical term associated with the Japanese feudal system, where the eldest son of the principal wife had the right of succession. It appears frequently in historical dramas, period novels, and discussions of samurai lineage.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 長男(ちょうなん) (eldest son)
Compare: 跡継(あとつ)ぎ (successor, heir)
general
Added 2026.3.7 22:43 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15626_chakunan