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道Nihongo Path
嫡

嫡·legitimate (child), direct line of descent, main house

On-yomi
チャク
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
嫡子ちゃくしlegitimate child; heir
嫡男ちゃくなんeldest legitimate son
嫡出ちゃくしゅつlegitimate birth (legal term)
嫡流ちゃくりゅうmain line of a family

Example sentences

  1. 家督は嫡男が継いだ。

    かとくはちゃくなんがついだ。

    The headship of the house passed to the eldest legitimate son.

  2. 民法には嫡出子に関する規定がある。

    みんぽうにはちゃくしゅつしにかんするきていがある。

    The Civil Code has provisions concerning children born in wedlock.

  3. 彼はその家の嫡流に当たる人物だ。

    かれはそのいえのちゃくりゅうにあたるじんぶつだ。

    He belongs to the main line of that family.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 嫡男 as てきなん — the on reading here is チャク
  • Confusing 嫡子 (legitimate heir) with 適時 (テキジ, timely)

Memory aid

Picture it

The woman radical 女 beside 啇, the same right half as 適 (suitable): the child of the proper wife — the one who fits as heir.

Quick check

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What does the kanji 嫡 mean?