姓
surname
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
姓 centers on the family name passed down through generations, often associated with lineage and birth.
Most common words using 姓
20 of 48- 姓せいN2
surname; family name
- 百姓ひゃくしょうN1
farmer; peasant; farm laborer; farmhand
- 同姓どうせいN1
same surname
- 別姓べっせい
different surname
- 姓名せいめいN1
(full) name; family name and given name
- 旧姓きゅうせいN2
one's original family name; maiden name
- 小姓こしょう
(noble's) page
- 改姓かいせい
change of one's family name
- お百姓さんおひゃくしょうさん
farmer
- どん百姓どんびゃくしょう
dirt-poor farmer
- 下姓げしょう
person of humble birth
- 中小姓ちゅうごしょう
low class samurai, who guarded the shogun on outings (Edo period)
- 他姓たせい
another surname
- 俗姓ぞくしょう
secular surname (of a priest)
- 元姓げんせい
former surname; original surname
- 八姓はっせい
eight hereditary titles (designated by Emperor Tenmu in 684 CE: Mahito, Ason, Sukune, Imiki, Michinoshi, Omi, Muraji, Inagi)
- 八色の姓やくさのかばね
eight hereditary titles (designated by Emperor Tenmu in 684 CE: Mahito, Ason, Sukune, Imiki, Michinoshi, Omi, Muraji, Inagi)
- 別姓婚べっせいこん
marriage in which neither person takes the other's surname
- 同姓同名どうせいどうめい
having the same family name and given name (as someone else)
- 四姓しせい
the four Hindu castes
Study
Etymology
姓 combines 女 (woman) and 生 (birth/life), reflecting the ancient practice of tracing family lineage through the maternal line. The modern meaning 'surname' extends from this idea of clan or family identity.
Meaning mnemonic
A woman (女) gives birth (生) and passes down the family name. Picture a mother writing her surname on a birth certificate.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, imagine a family saying their surname together: 'Say!' (セイ) as they introduce themselves. The sound 'say' cues セイ while they state their family name.