三 代 目(さんだいめ)

さんだいめ

noun

third generation; third in succession

person

1. third generation; third in succession

The third person to hold a position, carry on a family business, or inherit a tradition.

彼(かれ)はこの店(みせ)の三代目(さんだいめ)だ。

He is the third-generation owner of this shop.

三代目(さんだいめ)の社長(しゃちょう)が会社(かいしゃ)を大(おお)きくした。

The third-generation president grew the company.

この蕎麦屋(そばや)は三代目(さんだいめ)が伝統(でんとう)の味(あじ)を守(まも)り続(つづ)けている。

At this soba restaurant, the third-generation owner continues to preserve the traditional flavor.

Composed of 三(さん) (three) + 代目(だいめ) (ordinal suffix for generations or successions). Commonly used for family businesses, traditional arts, and performing arts lineages in Japan.

Cultural note

In Japanese business culture, multi-generational family businesses are highly respected. There is a well-known saying: 売(う)り家(いえ)と唐様(からよう)で書(か)く三代目(さんだいめ) — roughly meaning the third generation squanders the family fortune. This reflects the common concern about generational decline.

Common collocations

三代目(さんだいめ)の店主(てんしゅ): third-generation shop owner
三代目(さんだいめ)を継(つ)ぐ: to succeed as the third generation
三代目(さんだいめ)当主(とうしゅ): third-generation head of a family

Related words

初代(しょだい): first generation, founder
二代目(にだいめ): second generation
四代目(よだいめ): fourth generation
老舗(しにせ): long-established shop

Related Words

Related: 初代(しょだい) (first generation, founder)

Related: 二代目(にだいめ) (second generation)

Related: 老舗(しにせ) (long-established shop)

general

Added 2026.4.23 23:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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