heir · succeed

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 嗣 is associated with succeeding to a family line or position; its on-reading is し.
• Basic usage: 嗣子, read しし, means a child who is to continue the family line or an heir; 後嗣, read こうし, means an heir or successor.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An heir not yet designated
  • 嗣子を定めないまま and 後嗣を定めないまま mean without having designated an heir.