继承

Etymology & Components

The Chinese word 继承 (jìchéng) for "inherit" is composed of two characters: 承 (chéng) and 继 (jì). 承 means "to receive" or "to bear", while 继 means "to continue" or "to succeed". Together, they form the compound word 继承, which literally means "to receive and continue". This meaning is extended to refer to the act of inheriting property, wealth, or other assets from a deceased person. In a broader sense, it can also refer to the transmission of cultural traditions, values, or knowledge from one generation to the next.