相続します（そうぞくします、souzokushimasu）
- to inherit

The Japanese verb 相続します means "to inherit" or "to succeed to (property, a title, etc.)". It refers to the act of receiving property, rights, or obligations from a deceased person (or sometimes a living person under specific circumstances) through legal processes. This word is typically used in the context of inheritance, wills, and estate planning. It covers the transfer of assets like money, real estate, and other possessions. The verb implies a formal process, often involving legal documentation.

⚫︎父の会社を相続します。 Translation: I will inherit my father's company. ⚫︎遺産を相続しますか？ Translation: Will you inherit the inheritance? ⚫︎彼女は祖母の家を相続しました。 Translation: She inherited her grandmother's house.

This word is used in formal and semi-formal situations. It's common in legal discussions, conversations about wills, and when discussing the transfer of property or titles after someone's death. While not typically used in everyday casual conversation, it’s essential vocabulary for dealing with legal or family-related inheritance matters. It can also be used in more figurative senses, such as "inheriting" a tradition or a responsibility. When the topic involves taking over someone's role or position, 相続します is appropriate. The verb implies a legal or formal transfer, so avoid using it when talking about casually receiving something. For example, not to receive a gift.

相続します is written in kanji and hiragana. The kanji for "相" (sō) means "mutual" or "together". The kanji for "続" (zoku) means "continue" or "succeed". The verb stem is 相続 (sōzoku), and the polite, masu-form, verb ending is します (shimasu), which makes 相続します . Variations of the verb include: ⚫︎ 相続する (sōzoku suru) - to inherit (dictionary form) ⚫︎ 相続した (sōzoku shita) - inherited (past tense) ⚫︎ 相続しない (sōzoku shinai) - will not inherit (negative) ⚫︎ 相続します - will inherit (polite)

⚫︎ 継承します (keishō shimasu) - to succeed; to inherit (more formal and can be used in other contexts beyond inheritance) ⚫︎ 受け継ぎます (uke tsugimasu) - to inherit; to take over (can be used less formally) ⚫︎ 受け継ぐ (uke tsugu) - to inherit; to take over (dictionary form) ⚫︎ 譲り受ける (yuzuri ukeru) - to be transferred; to inherit (emphasizes receiving something from someone)

⚫︎ 放棄します (hōki shimasu) - to abandon; to relinquish (to renounce an inheritance) ⚫︎ 手放します (tebanashimasu) - to let go of; to give up (can apply to possessions generally, not just inheritance)

彼は父親の会社を相続します。 ・Translation: He will inherit his father's company. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 相続します to express that the subject is going to take over his father's company through inheritance.

彼女は高額な遺産を相続しました。 ・Translation: She inherited a large inheritance. ・Explanation: This sentence, using the past tense 相続し (sōzoku shi), indicates that the person has already received the inheritance.

The word 相続 is a combination of two kanji: ⚫︎相 (sō): means "mutual" or "together", in this case, it emphasizes the relationship between the deceased and the inheritor. ⚫︎続 (zoku): means "to continue" or "to succeed". It suggests the continuation of the ownership or the right to something. The verb form 相続します is derived from this noun and the verb する (suru) meaning "to do". It literally means "to do inheritance," therefore "to inherit."