遺産

• Reading: いさん
• Romaji: isan
• Kanji breakdown: 遺 (i) — leave behind, bequeath; 産 (san) — property, assets
• Pronunciation: /i.saɴ/

Meaning

Inheritance; legacy; heritage. Something of value passed down from the past.

A noun covering both legal inheritance (financial assets left by the deceased) and broader cultural or historical legacy. 世界遺産 (World Heritage Site) is one of the most well-known compounds. 精神的遺産 (spiritual legacy) or 文化的遺産 (cultural heritage) extend the concept beyond the material. The word carries a sense of transmission across generations.

Examples

1. 祖父の遺産をめぐって、兄弟の間で争いが起きた。 A dispute broke out among the siblings over their grandfather's inheritance.
2. この古城はユネスコの世界遺産に登録されている。 This old castle is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. 彼が残した音楽は、現代にも受け継がれる貴重な遺産だ。 The music he left behind is a precious legacy that lives on to this day.

Usage Guide

Context: law, culture, history, family

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 遺 (i) means to leave behind or bequeath, 産 (san) means property or assets. Together: 'what is left behind.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal