名字 Surname

Meaning

Primary

Surname

Alternatives

Last Name, Family Name

Word Type

noun, の adjective

Explanation

A name written in letters is the surname. Back in the day your surname was the important name (it's your family name after all, and family was king back in the day). This is the name you'd write out in kanji... aka in letters. So, that's why this combination of kanji means "surname."

Reading

みょうじ

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. If you know the readings of your kanji you'll know how to read this as well.

Note that the 名 portion is the alternate reading, so adjust your thinking accordingly so you can get to みょう. Just imagine someone saying "more" with a funny accent. They say "myou" instead of "more". Imagine them saying they have myou people in their family than yours. Their surname is spread amongst myou people than yours.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 名字を〜

  名字を入力する

  to type in a last name

  名字をよぶ

  to call someone's last name

  名字をググる

  to Google a last name

• 〜の名字

  今の名字

  modern last names

  女の子の名字

  a girl's last name

  人の名字

  people's last names

Context Sentences

名字は「田中」です。

My surname is "Tanaka."

名字は、ここに入力して下さい。

Please enter your last name here.

名字じゃなくて、ファーストネームでよんで下さい。

Please call me by my first name, not my family name.

Kanji Composition

1. 名

   めい Name
2. 字

   じ Letter