Translation and Meaning of: 姓名 - seimei
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 姓名 (seimei) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: seimei
Kana: せいめい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1
Translation / Meaning: full name
Meaning in English: full name
Definition: Name of the person. Last name and first name.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (姓名) seimei
The Japanese word 「姓名」 (seimei) carries a very important meaning in the cultural and individual context. In Japanese, 「姓」 (sei) refers to the surname or family name, while 「名」 (mei) means the first name or given name of the individual. Together, these words form the term 「姓名」, which refers to a person's full name. Japanese culture highly values family identity, and the surname is an integral part of it, often used in formal documents and everyday life.
The etymology of 「姓名」 is quite straightforward. 「姓」 comes from Chinese characters that originally represented clan groups in ancient China, and the adoption of this character in Japan reinforced the idea of family belonging. In turn, 「名」 has an equally rich history, being used since ancient times to denote a person's personal identity. Essentially, an individual's full name in Japanese symbolizes both their family roots and their unique identity.
In the history of Japan, the structure of names has undergone significant changes. During the Heian Period, for example, only the nobility had surnames. However, as society evolved, especially during the Meiji period, surnames became common among the people. Today, having a well-defined 「姓名」 is essential for social and bureaucratic interactions in Japan. In many ways, a person's name is a reflection of their cultural identity, highlighting the importance of both family unity and individualism in a complex society like Japan.
Synonyms and similar words
- 名前 (namae) - Name, usually used in everyday context.
- 氏名 (shimei) - Full name, used in formal documents.
- 呼称 (koshou) - Title or way to refer to someone, more focused on denominations or categories.
Words related
How to Write in Japanese - (姓名) seimei
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (姓名) seimei:
Example Sentences - (姓名) seimei
Below are some example sentences:
Watashi no seimei wa Yamada desu
My full name is Yamada.
My first name is Yamada.
- 私 - personal pronoun meaning "I" in Japanese
- の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
- 姓名 - noun meaning "full name" in Japanese
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 山田 - common Japanese surname
- です - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or description
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
