Translation guide
In Japanese, the family name comes first and is the default way to refer to people. The concept of 'family name' is expressed with specific terms, and usage depends on context.
The word for 'family name' or 'surname' in Japanese.
The most common word for 'family name' or 'surname'. Used in everyday conversation.
あなたの名字は何ですか？
What is your family name?
名字を変えました。
I changed my family name.
A more formal or written term for 'family name'. Often used in official documents.
姓と名を記入してください。
Please fill in your family name and given name.
A formal, somewhat literary term for 'family name', often used in the phrase '氏名' (full name).
氏名をここに書いてください。
Please write your full name here.
How to use family names when addressing or talking about people.
In Japanese, you normally refer to people by their family name followed by an honorific like さん, くん, or さま. Using only the given name is very intimate or for children.
田中さんはいますか？
Is Mr./Ms. Tanaka here?
鈴木くん、ちょっと来て。
Suzuki, come here a moment.
In some contexts, like among close male friends, in sports teams, or when referring to historical figures, the family name can be used without an honorific. This can sound rough or very casual.
山田、パス！
Yamada, pass!
How to politely ask for someone's family name.
A common, polite way to ask for someone's name. It doesn't specify family or given name, but in context it often means the family name.
すみません、お名前は？
Excuse me, what's your name?
A more explicit and polite way to ask for the family name.
恐れ入りますが、名字を教えていただけますか？
I'm sorry to bother you, but could you tell me your family name?
Explaining that Japanese puts the family name first.
In Japanese, the family name is written and spoken before the given name. For example, 田中太郎 is Tanaka Taro, where Tanaka is the family name.
田中太郎
Taro Tanaka
私の名字は佐藤です。
My family name is Sato.
When you meet a Japanese person, they will introduce themselves with family name first. Calling someone by their given name too early can be overly familiar. Stick to family name + さん until invited otherwise.
名字 is the everyday word for family name. 姓 is more formal and often used in writing or official contexts. 氏 is even more formal and rarely used alone; it appears in compounds like 氏名 (full name).