素 性(すじょう)

すじょう

noun

origin, identity, background, lineage

1. origin, identity, background, lineage

A person's true identity, background, or origin. Often implies something unknown or hidden that needs to be revealed. Can also refer to the origin or provenance of objects.

素性(すじょう)の知(し)れない人物(じんぶつ)だ。

He's a person of unknown background.

彼女(かのじょ)は自分(じぶん)の素性(すじょう)を隠(かく)していた。

She was hiding her true identity.

この絵画(かいが)の素性(すじょう)を調(しら)べたら、有名(ゆうめい)な画家(がか)の作品(さくひん)だとわかった。

When I investigated the origin of this painting, I found it was a work by a famous artist.

Usage

Often appears in contexts where someone's identity or background is unknown, suspicious, or being investigated. The collocation 素性(すじょう)の知(し)れない (of unknown origin/background) is very common. Can also be written as 素姓(すじょう).

Similar words

身元(みもと): identity (for identification purposes)
出自(しゅつじ): birth, origin, extraction (more formal)
経歴(けいれき): career history, background (professional)

Common collocations

素性(すじょう)の知(し)れない: of unknown background
素性(すじょう)を明(あ)かす: reveal one's identity
素性(すじょう)を隠(かく)す: hide one's identity
素性(すじょう)を調(しら)べる: investigate someone's background

Related Words

Synonym: 身元(みもと) (identity (identification))

Compare: 出自(しゅつじ) (birth, origin, extraction)

Compare: 経歴(けいれき) (career history, background)

general

Added 2026.2.27 14:51 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

13500/13875_sujou