The kanji 嫡 primarily conveys the meaning of "legitimate" or "eldest son (and heir)." It signifies a person who is the rightful heir, typically born to a legal wife, and therefore holds a position of authority and inheritance rights. It also refers to the proper or correct line of succession.

・On-yomi (音読み): Chaku (チャク) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): None, but it is often implied to mean "嫡子 (chajushi)" meaning "legitimate child"

⚫︎嫡子 (chajushi) Translation: Legitimate son; heir. ⚫︎嫡出 (chakushutsu) Translation: Legitimate birth; born in wedlock. ⚫︎嫡流 (chakuryuu) Translation: The main line (of a family); legitimate lineage.

The kanji 嫡 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic compound character. The character is composed of the radical 女 (onna - woman) on the left, which provides the semantic component (meaning), suggesting that it relates to lineage and family. On the right side is the phonetic component 啇 (teki), which contributes to the sound. Originally, it referred to the eldest son born to a legal wife, solidifying the idea of legitimacy and rightful inheritance within the family structure. The character's formation is tied to the historical importance of family lineage and patriarchal societies in which inheritance and position were clearly defined.