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Kotomora

銘

inscription, signature (of artisan)

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes14

Readings

On'yomi

  • メイ

Kun'yomi

—

Nanori

  • たか
  • み
  • め

Meaning

銘 centers on a permanent mark of identity or quality: an inscription carved into metal or stone, or an artisan's signature that guarantees the work. Both senses share the idea of a lasting, identifying mark.

Most common words using 銘

20 of 54
  • 銘柄めいがら

    brand; make; description

  • 感銘かんめい
    N1

    deep impression; being deeply moved; being deeply touched

  • 正真正銘しょうしんしょうめい

    genuine; authentic; true; real

  • 銘めい

    inscription; epitaph

  • 銘打つめいうつ

    to engrave an inscription; to call (designate) itself; to mark; to label

  • 銘ずるめいずる

    to stamp; to engrave; to inscribe

  • 座右の銘ざゆうのめい

    favourite motto; pet saying

  • 銘菓めいか

    excellent sweet; confection of an established name

  • 銘々めいめい
    N2

    each; individual

  • 無銘むめい

    unsigned; without a signature

  • 銘酒めいしゅ

    famous brand of sake; choice sake

  • 銘板めいばん

    nameplate; plaque

  • 銘文めいぶん

    inscription

  • 銘記めいき

    keep in mind; take note of; remember

  • 墓碑銘ぼひめい

    epitaph; inscription on a tombstone

  • 銘仙めいせん

    meisen silk

  • 上場銘柄じょうじょうめいがら

    listed issue; listed brand

  • 信用銘柄しんようめいがら

    marginable stocks

  • 刻銘こくめい

    inscription on stone monuments, metal receptacles, etc.; exergue; inscribing

  • 墓誌銘ぼしめい

    name of the writer of a gravestone epitaph, engraved after the epitaph

Explore all words using 銘 →

Study

Etymology

銘 combines 金 (metal) with 名 (name), suggesting a name or inscription carved into metal. This is a standard phono-semantic compound where 名 also hints at the sound.

Meaning mnemonic

Metal (金) plus a name (名) makes an inscription: imagine an artisan carving their name into a metal plate to sign their work.

Reading mnemonic

For メイ, picture a famous artisan named May who always inscribes her name on her metalwork: May -> メイ.