名字
myōji[mʲo̞ːʑi]
The Japanese phrase for "last name" is 名字 (myōji).
名字 refers to the family name shared by members of a family. While the word 名前 means 'name', it is often used colloquially to refer to a person's full name or even just their given name, whereas 名字 specifically refers to the family name.
Which one should you use?
The word 姓 is a more formal or technical term for 'surname' often used in official documents or formal contexts, whereas 名字 is more common in daily conversation. The word 苗字 is a common alternative spelling for 名字, and both are used to mean 'family name'.
How do you pronounce it?
myōji
Did you know?
- Until the late 19th century, most commoners in Japan were not allowed to have a 名字 and only samurai, aristocrats and some religious figures used them.
- The kanji for 苗字 (the alternative spelling of 'last name') contains the character for 'seedling' or 'sprout', which metaphorically refers to the roots of a family tree.
- While 名字 is common, many Japanese family names are actually derived from topographical features, such as 'mountain', 'field', or 'river'.
Examples in context
- 私の名字は王です。My last name is Wang.This sentence is useful for stating what your 名字 is.Tatoeba #10038360 by small_snow, translation #2230363 by eternica
- 彼女の名字わかる？Do you know her last name?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows a person's 名字.Tatoeba #11858093 by small_snow, translation #10038969 by ddnktr
- 自分の名字、好きよ。I like my last name.This sentence is useful for expressing a feeling about your own 名字.Tatoeba #9969778 by small_snow, translation #9132935 by CK
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about a new classmate in the classroom.
- 結衣 Yui転校生の名字、何ていうの？Tenkōsei no myōji, nante iu no?What is the new student's last name?
- 蓮 Ren結衣ちゃん、まだ聞いてないよ。Yui-chan, mada kiite nai yo.Yui, I haven't asked her yet.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、今度聞いてみて。Ren-kun, kondo kiite mite.Ren, please ask her next time.
- 蓮 Renわかった、聞いてみるよ。Wakatta, kiite miru yo.Okay, I will try asking.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 名字, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
