Chinese word

世袭

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì xí

Meaning

  • verbinherit

Example

王位通常由王室成员世袭。wáng wèi tōng cháng yóu wáng shì chéng yuán shì xí

The throne is usually inherited by members of the royal family.

Illustration for 世袭 (inherit)

More examples

许多贵族的爵位由家族世袭。xǔ duō guì zú de jué wèi yóu jiā zú shì xí

Many nobles' titles are inherited by their families.

Core concept

A position, power, or privilege moves through a family from one generation to the next.

Common phrases

  • 世袭王位shì xí wáng wèi

    inherit the throne

  • 世袭爵位shì xí jué wèi

    inherit a title

  • 世袭官职shì xí guān zhí

    inherit an official position

  • 世袭权力shì xí quán lì

    inherit power

Similar words

继承jì chéng: Receive property, rights, or a position from an earlier owner or holder.
传承chuán chéng: Pass culture, skills, or knowledge on to later generations.
继位jì wèi: Take over a throne or official position from its previous holder.
遗传yí chuán: Pass genetic traits or diseases from parents to their children.

Definition in Chinese

指某个职位、权力或特权在家族内部代代相传，继承方式以血缘或世系为主，而非靠选举或任命。zhǐ mǒu gè zhí wèi quán lì huò tè quán zài jiā zú nèi bù dài dài xiāng chuán jì chéng fāng shì yǐ xuè yuán huò shì xì wéi zhǔ ér fēi kào xuán jǔ huò rèn mìng

Word origin

世 (shì, "generation") + 袭 (xí, "take over") combine to express a position or privilege being taken up across generations.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, this word is more natural for dynasties, titles, and positions than for ordinary family belongings, which use different vocabulary.

Other meanings

  • hereditary systemnoun
  • hereditary rightnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 世袭制shì xí zhìhereditary systemnoun
  • 世袭权shì xí quánhereditary rightnoun

Word lists with this word