Quick answer
姓 is the kanji for "Surname". The most common reading is せい (sei). Mnemonics and example sentences are listed below.
Meaning
Surname
Also : Last name · Family name
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
8 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 姓 represents 'SURNAME'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of surname.
On-reading: せい — sounds like 'say'.
Example Sentences
結婚後は夫婦どちらの姓にするか、夫婦で話し合って決めました。
けっこんごはふうふどちらのせいにするか、ふうふではなしあってきめました。
After marriage, we discussed as a couple and decided which surname to use.
姓名判断では、名前の画数で運勢を占います。
せいめいはんだんでは、なまえのかくすうでうんせいをうらないます。
In surname and name divination, fortune is told from the number of strokes in the name.
Vocabulary using 姓
Grammar to study at this level
- [Noun] + に伴い～に伴い (ni tomonai) - Along with / In accordance with
- [Noun] + をはじめ～をはじめ (wo hajime) - Starting with / Including
- [Noun] + に応じて～に応じて (ni oujite) - According to / In response to
- [Noun] + から + [Noun] + にかけて～にかけて (ni kakete) - From...to / In the area of
- [Noun] + に限り～に限り (ni kagiri) - Limited to / Only
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
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