also: しゅせい · そせい
Refers to a person's family background, ancestry, or social standing by birth. Often used in formal or historical contexts.
Focuses on a person's personal history, true identity, or past circumstances, often with an implication of something hidden or unknown. Common in phrases like 素性が知れない (of unknown background).
provenance; origin
Used for objects, artworks, or items to indicate their origin or history of ownership. Less common than the personal senses.
This antique has a clear provenance.
He comes from a family of good lineage.
Upon investigating his background, it turned out he was descended from nobility.
The man settled in the town hiding his true identity.
She didn't trust a person of unknown background.
Nobody knew the man's background, so everyone was on guard.
He lived in the countryside, hiding his true identity.
She finally revealed her true identity.
The police are investigating the suspect's background.
The provenance of this vase was determined from the museum's records.
身元 is used in official contexts like identity verification, while 素性 often implies a hidden or questionable background.
出自 refers formally to one's lineage or origin like 素性 does in its birth sense, but without the nuance of secrecy.
経歴 focuses on a person's career and life history, whereas 素性 emphasizes true identity or origin, often hidden.
生まれ is a plain, everyday word for one's birth or origin, while 素性 is more formal and can carry a nuance of family standing.
Standard spelling for the most common reading すじょう. Also read そせい in some contexts.
Alternate kanji form, less common than 素性. Also has the obsolete reading すぞう.
Rare kanji form with the reading しゅせい (also obsolete しゅしょう).
Rare kanji form, read そせい (also すじょう in some contexts).
The bloodline sense developed from 種姓, originally しゅしょう, while 素性 separately meant “inherent nature.” Sound change and semantic overlap led to confusion between them, producing modern すじょう and its variant spellings.