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姓
On'yomi
セイ・ショウ
SEI / SHOU
surname
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes8
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of woman and birth. Lineage born from woman.
Symbolism
Full name, surname, family name. Represents surname.
Component Breakdown
姓=
女生
woman + life
Words & Expressions
Words written with 姓
百姓ひゃくしょうfarmer
旧姓きゅうせいmaiden name
同姓どうせいsame surname
姓名せいめいfamily name and given name
Four-Character Compounds
易姓革命
えきせいかくめい
revolution (change of dynasty) decreed by Heaven when the incumbent emperor is found lacking in moral virtue (old Chinese political thought)
姓名判断
せいめいはんだん
Fortune telling by name; Predicting fortune from the strokes in a name
Other kanji with the same meaning
“surname”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 姓 mean in Japanese?
姓 means surname.
How do you read 姓?
On'yomi: セイ、ショウ (SEI, SHOU).
How many strokes does 姓 have?
姓 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 女 (woman).
Is 姓 a good kanji for a tattoo?
姓 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means surname. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:surname