姓: the kanji for surname; family name
姓 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means surname; family name. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
姓 is written in 8 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
姓 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
セイ (sei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 姓せい · sei | surname; family name |
| 姓名せいめい · seimei | full name |
| 旧姓きゅうせい · kyūsei | maiden name; former surname |
ショウ (shou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 百姓ひゃくしょう · hyakushō | farmer (old-fashioned) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 書類には姓と名を分けて書いてください。Shorui ni wa sei to mei o wakete kaite kudasai.Please write your family name and given name separately on the form.
- 結婚しても仕事では旧姓を使っている。Kekkon shite mo shigoto de wa kyūsei o tsukatte iru.Even after marrying, I use my former surname at work.
- 申込書に姓名を記入した。Mōshikomisho ni seimei o kinyū shita.I filled in my full name on the application form.
- 日本では結婚すると姓が変わる人が多い。Nihon de wa kekkon suru to sei ga kawaru hito ga ōi.In Japan, many people change their surname when they marry.
- 昔、この村には百姓が多く住んでいた。Mukashi, kono mura ni wa hyakushō ga ōku sunde ita.Long ago, many farmers lived in this village.
Questions about 姓
How many strokes does 姓 have?
姓 is written in 8 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 姓?
The on readings are sei (セイ), shou (ショウ). 姓 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 姓?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
People and relationships
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 姓
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.