传人

• Pinyin: chuán rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 传 = 亻 (person) + 专 (phonetic) = to transmit; 人 = person

Meaning

Successor; heir; inheritor. Someone who inherits and continues a tradition, skill, or legacy.

Often used for inheritors of traditional crafts, martial arts lineages, or cultural traditions. 非遗传人 (inheritor of intangible cultural heritage) is a formal designation in China. Different from 继承人 which is more about legal/material inheritance.

Examples

1. 他是太极拳陈氏的第十二代传人。 He is the twelfth-generation successor of Chen-style Tai Chi.
2. 老艺人最担心的是找不到合适的传人。 What the old artisan worries about most is not finding a suitable successor.
3. 她被认定为国家级非物质文化遗产传人。 She was recognized as a national-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.

Usage Guide

Context: traditional culture, martial arts, crafts

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 这门手艺需要找到年轻的传人来继承。(This craft needs to find young successors to carry it on.)
• 作为咏春拳的传人，他有责任发扬光大这门武术。(As an inheritor of Wing Chun, he has the responsibility to promote this martial art.)

Don't Say

• 公司的传人 (For business succession, use 继承人 or 接班人 — 传人 is for traditional arts and culture)

Origin & History

Compound of 传 (to pass on, transmit) and 人 (person). Someone to whom something is transmitted.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal