Meaning

Primary

Lineage

Alternatives

Genealogy, Family History

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When lineage and genealogy come together, they produce… lineage. And genealogy. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I guess.

系譜 is a formal term that refers to a traceable and often recorded line of descent or development, whether it's people, culture, styles, or ideas. For example, it can describe family lines like 王家の系譜 (royal lineage), but also the evolution of things like 音楽の系譜 (the genealogy of a style of music).

Reading

けいふ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • 〜家の系譜

    lineage of the ~ family

    〜主義の系譜

    lineage of ~ ideology

    〜思想の系譜

    lineage of ~ thought

    〜文学の系譜

    lineage of ~ literature

Context Sentences

この巻紙に一族の系譜が描かれています。

The clan's lineage is depicted in this scroll.

彼の考えは社会主義の系譜を引いています。

His thinking draws from a socialist lineage.

その芸術家は、有名な画家の系譜を受け継いでいます。

That artist is carrying on the lineage of a famous painter.

この作品はロマン主義文学の系譜に位置づけられている。

This work is positioned within the lineage of Romantic literature.

日本の天皇の系譜は世界でも最も古いとされているんですが、彼女はその天皇の系譜について研究しているんですよ。

Japan's imperial lineage is considered one of the oldest in the world, and she studies that imperial genealogy.

Kanji Composition