Readings: セイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: surname, family name, clan
The kanji 姓 combines the radical 女 (woman) and the component 生 (birth, life). Historically, in ancient China, surnames were often inherited through the female line or associated with matriarchal clans, thus linking the idea of “birth” within a “family” through the female aspect.
View JLPT N2 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 姓 has 8 strokes. It begins with the three strokes of the 女 radical on the left, followed by the five strokes of 生 on the right. Pay attention to the correct stroke order and balance.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 女 (おんな・へん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 8 |
| JLPT Level | N2 |
| Grade | Joyo Kanji (Ungraded in Kyoiku system) |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- セイ (SEI)
Common Words Using 姓
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 姓 | せい | surname, family name |
| 氏名 | しめい | full name (surname and given name) |
| 本姓 | ほんせい | original or real surname |
| 同姓 | どうせい | same surname |
| 旧姓 | きゅうせい | maiden name, former surname |
| 姓氏 | せいし | family name and clan name (formal) |
| 百家姓 | ひゃっかせい | Hundred Family Surnames (a classic Chinese text) |
| 複姓 | ふくせい | compound surname |
| 改姓 | かいせい | change of surname |
| 仮名氏姓 | かめいしせい | alias and surname (less common) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼の姓は田中です。
Kana: かれの せいは たなかです。
Romaji: Kare no sei wa Tanaka desu.
English: His surname is Tanaka.
Japanese: ここに氏名をご記入ください。
Kana: ここに しめいを ごきにゅうください。
Romaji: Koko ni shimei o gokinyuu kudasai.
English: Please fill in your full name here.
Japanese: 結婚して旧姓から新姓に変わりました。
Kana: けっこんして きゅうせいから しんせいに かわりました。
Romaji: Kekkon shite kyuusei kara shinsei ni kawarimashita.
English: After marriage, her former surname changed to her new surname.
Japanese: 彼女は彼と同姓です。
Kana: かのじょは かれと どうせいです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa kare to dousei desu.
English: She has the same surname as him.
Japanese: この書類には姓と名が必要です。
Kana: このしょるいには せいと めいが ひつようです。
Romaji: Kono shorui ni wa sei to mei ga hitsuyou desu.
English: This document requires a surname and a given name.
Japanese: 日本の姓には様々な種類があります。
Kana: にほんの せいには さまざまな しゅるいがあります。
Romaji: Nihon no sei ni wa samazama na shurui ga arimasu.
English: There are various types of Japanese surnames.
Japanese: 本姓を明かさない人もいます。
Kana: ほんせいを あかさないひとも います。
Romaji: Honsei o akasanai hito mo imasu.
English: Some people do not reveal their original surname.
Japanese: 彼は珍しい姓を持っています。
Kana: かれは めずらしい せいを もっています。
Romaji: Kare wa mezurashii sei o motteimasu.
English: He has a rare surname.
Japanese: 歴史の授業で日本の姓氏について学びました。
Kana: れきしの じゅぎょうで にほんの せいしについて まなびました。
Romaji: Rekishi no jugyou de Nihon no seishi ni tsuite manabimashita.
English: I learned about Japanese family names and clans in history class.
Japanese: 名字と姓は同じ意味で使われることが多いです。
Kana: みょうじと せいは おなじいみで つかわれることが おおいです。
Romaji: Myouji to sei wa onaji imi de tsukawareru koto ga ooi desu.
English: Myoji and sei are often used with the same meaning.
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