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
general
Added 2026.2.27 14:51
13500/13875_sujou