遺 志(いし)

いし

noun

wishes of the deceased; dying wish

formalabstract society

1. wishes of the deceased; dying wish

What a person who has died wanted or intended to do, especially the aims that others then carry on for them.

父(ちち)の遺志(いし)を継(つ)ぐ。

To carry on my father's wishes.

故人(こじん)の遺志(いし)により、葬儀(そうぎ)は家族(かぞく)だけで行(おこな)われた。

In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, the funeral was held with family only.

彼女(かのじょ)は亡(な)くなった恩師(おんし)の遺志(いし)を受(う)け継(つ)いで、学校(がっこう)を作(つく)った。

She carried on the wishes of her late teacher and founded a school.

A written, respectful word, common in obituaries, funeral notices and news. The phrase 遺志(いし)を継(つ)ぐ (to carry on someone's legacy) is the most frequent use.

Common collocations

遺志(いし)を継(つ)ぐ / 受(う)け継(つ)ぐ: to carry on someone's wishes
故人(こじん)の遺志(いし)により: in accordance with the wishes of the deceased
遺志(いし)を尊重(そんちょう)する: to respect the wishes of the deceased

Watch out

意志(いし) (will, volition), 意思(いし) (intention) and 医師(いし) (doctor) share the reading
遺言(ゆいごん): a will, last words — the actual statement, while 遺志(いし) is the intention behind it

general

Added 2026.9.28 21:42 · Revised 2026.9.28 21:46

31000/31143_ishi