The Meaning of meishi [名刺] In Japanese

名刺
めいし
Romaji: meishi N5

What does 名刺 mean?

Translation and Meaning

business card, name card

Definition

名刺 means a personal name card used for professional introductions. In Japanese business culture, a meishi is exchanged to convey identity, job title, and company affiliation, often with careful presentation and etiquette.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Primary modern meaning: a card bearing a person’s name and contact details for professional use.
  • Functional nuance: used to convey identity and corporate affiliation in meetings and networking contexts.
  • Etiquette nuance: the exchange is performed with care, typically presenting the card upright and reading it before accepting it with both hands.

Etymology

名 meaning name and 刺 historically indicating a badge or tag; together they form a compound read as meishi, denoting a name-bearing card.

Origin

Originating in Edo-period Japan among merchants and officials, meishi were used to identify individuals in daily commerce; the practice evolved into a formal business-card custom and expanded with Western corporate culture after World War II.

Composition

  • 名 = name
  • 刺 = badge or tag, here indicating a card used for identification; together they create the meaning ‘name-bearing card’

Usage

Used in formal business settings, during meetings, conferences, and networking events; exchange routines include presenting the card with both hands and offering the card to the recipient in a way that is easy to read; digital formats like denshi meishi are common in modern communications.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: pair the meaning ‘name’ with ‘badge’ by imagining your name stamped on a ceremonial badge you present to others at the start of a meeting; think ‘name badge’ to recall meishi.

Variations

  • bijinesu kaado – business card (romaji: bijinesu kaado)
  • denshi meishi – electronic business card (romaji: denshi meishi)
  • meishi-ire – card holder (romaji: meishi-ire)

Words with the same Romaji

Example Phrases

  • 新しい 名刺 を 渡して、皆に 挨拶 を した。
    Atarashii meishi o watashite, mina ni aisatsu o shita.
    I handed over a new business card and greeted everyone.
    Lista:
    • 新しい (atarashii) – new
    • 名刺 (meishi) – business card
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • 渡して、 (watashite) – handing over
    • 皆に (mina ni) – to everyone
    • 挨拶 (aisatsu) – greeting
    • を (wo) – object marker
    • した。 (shita) – did
    Uses the te-form 渡して to connect actions; 「名刺」 is the direct object marked by を.
名刺