名字
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Noun referring to a person's family name or surname. Used in formal and informal contexts to identify family lineage. Example: 『山田』 (yamada) is a common 『名字』 (myouji).
Theme
During a language exchange event, User chats with Ms. Tanaka, a Japanese teacher, about cultural differences in names.
名字
みょうじ
surname, family name
People & IdentityFamily & Personal Relationships
Memory Hook
Think of 'my name' (名字) as your family name. 'My' sounds like 'mi' and 'name' like 'ji' — together, it's 『名字』 (myouji, 'surname').
Cultural Note
In Japanese culture, the family name 『名字』 (myouji) comes before the given name, reflecting the importance of family over the individual. It's common to address people by their surname in formal or work settings.
Forms
Base: 名字Noun referring to a person's family name or surname. Used in formal and informal contexts to identify family lineage. Example: 『山田』 (yamada) is a common 『名字』 (myouji).