姓(せい)

せい

noun

surname; family name

formalperson

1. surname; family name; last name

A person's family name, as opposed to their given name. In Japanese naming order, the surname comes first.

姓(せい)と名(めい)を書(か)いてください。

Please write your surname and given name.

結婚(けっこん)して姓(せい)が変(か)わった。

My surname changed when I got married.

日本(にほん)では夫婦(ふうふ)が同(おな)じ姓(せい)を名乗(なの)ることが法律(ほうりつ)で決(き)められている。

In Japan, the law requires married couples to share the same surname.

Usage

姓(せい) is a formal word for surname. In everyday speech, 名字(みょうじ) or 苗字(みょうじ) is more common. 姓(せい) appears frequently on official forms and in formal writing.

Common collocations

姓(せい)と名(めい) (surname and given name)
姓(せい)を名乗(なの)る (to go by a surname)
旧姓(きゅうせい) (maiden name; former surname)
夫婦(ふうふ)別姓(べっせい) (separate surnames for married couples)

Similar words

名字(みょうじ) is the everyday equivalent. 氏(し) is used in formal/legal contexts. 姓(せい) falls in between.

general

Added 2026.3.6 21:33 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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