相 続 人(そうぞくにん)

そうぞくにん

noun

heir; inheritor; successor

legal

1. heir; inheritor; successor

A person who inherits or is entitled to inherit property, rights, or title from a deceased person. A legal term frequently used in everyday discussions about inheritance.

彼(かれ)は唯一(ゆいいつ)の相続人(そうぞくにん)だ。

He is the sole heir.

法定相続人(ほうていそうぞくにん)は配偶者(はいぐうしゃ)と子供(こども)です。

The legal heirs are the spouse and children.

相続人(そうぞくにん)が複数(ふくすう)いる場合(ばあい)、遺産(いさん)の分割(ぶんかつ)方法(ほうほう)について話(はな)し合(あ)う必要(ひつよう)がある。

When there are multiple heirs, they need to discuss how to divide the estate.

A compound of 相続(そうぞく) (inheritance/succession) and 人(にん) (person). Used in both legal and everyday contexts when discussing inheritance matters.

Common collocations

法定(ほうてい)相続人(そうぞくにん): legal heir (defined by law)
相続人(そうぞくにん)全員(ぜんいん): all heirs
相続人(そうぞくにん)を確定(かくてい)する: to determine the heirs
相続人(そうぞくにん)の権利(けんり): heir's rights

Related words

相続(そうぞく): inheritance/succession
遺産(いさん): estate/inheritance (the property itself)
遺言(ゆいごん): will/testament
被相続人(ひそうぞくにん): the deceased (from whom property is inherited)

Cultural note

Inheritance law in Japan follows a defined order: spouse, then children, then parents, then siblings. The 法定相続人(ほうていそうぞくにん) (legal heirs) system is a frequent topic in financial planning and tax discussions.

Related Words

Related: 遺産(いさん) (estate/inheritance)

Related: 遺言(ゆいごん) (will/testament)

Compare: 跡取(あとと)り (heir)

general

Added 2026.3.31 2:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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