隔世遺伝(かくせいいでん)

かくせいいでん
noun
atavism; throwback; skipping a generation
sciencefamily
1. atavism; throwback; skipping a generation
A genetic phenomenon where a trait from a grandparent or earlier ancestor reappears in a descendant, having skipped one or more intervening generations. Also used colloquially to describe personality traits or talents that seem inherited from grandparents.
この性格(せいかく)は隔世遺伝(かくせいいでん)かもしれない。
This personality trait might be a case of skipping a generation.
祖父(そふ)に似(に)ているのは隔世遺伝(かくせいいでん)だろうか。
I wonder if my resemblance to my grandfather is atavism.
絵(え)の才能(さいのう)は父(ちち)にはなかったが、祖母(そぼ)が画家(がか)だったので隔世遺伝(かくせいいでん)だと言(い)われている。
My father had no artistic talent, but since my grandmother was a painter, people say it's a case of skipping a generation.

Usage

隔世(かくせい) means "a generation apart" and 遺伝(いでん) means "heredity". A biology term, but common in everyday talk whenever a child takes after a grandparent rather than a parent, in looks, character or talent.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.3.18 13:34 · Revised 2026.10.13 22:40
17500/17506_kakuseiiden