legitimate wife, direct descent (non-bastard)

About this kanji

The kanji 嫡, pronounced as 'chaku' or 'teki,' primarily means 'legitimate' and is often associated with legitimate relationships and direct descent, distinguishing them from illegitimate ones. It is used mainly in nouns. Common compounds include 嫡出 (ちゃくしゅつ, 'legitimate birth'), 嫡子 (ちゃくし, 'heir'), and 嫡嗣 (ちゃくし, 'legitimate heir'), which all emphasize the idea of legality and rightful succession. This kanji reflects historical views on lineage and inheritance, particularly in feudal Japan where the status of one's birth could significantly impact familial and social standing. It is important to note that 嫡 is less common in everyday conversation and is more frequently encountered in legal or historical contexts.

Example sentences

• 嫡子が家督を継ぐ。

  The legitimate son will inherit the family estate.

Meanings across languages

English

legitimate wife, direct descent (non-bastard)

Tiếng Việt

vợ chính thức, dòng chính

日本語

嫡妻, 正当な血統

한국어

정처, 직계

中文

正妻, 直系

id

istri sah, garis keturunan langsung

th

ภรรยาที่ถูกต้องตามกฎหมาย, เชื้อสายที่ชอบธรรม

es

esposa legítima, descendencia directa

fr

épouse légitime, descendance directe

de

rechtmäßige Frau, legitimer Nachkomme

pt

esposa legítima, descendência direta

Common compounds

• 嫡出ちゃくしゅつlegitimate birth
• 嫡子ちゃくしheir, legitimate child
• 嫡嗣ちゃくしlegitimate heir
• 嫡孫ちゃくそんeldest son's descendants
• 嫡男ちゃくなんlegitimate son (esp. eldest son), heir
• 嫡披ちゃくひconfidential letter
• 嫡流ちゃくりゅうdirect line of descent, lineage of eldest son, main branch of a family
• 廃嫡はいちゃくdisinheritance