姓

せい · also しょう、そう、かばね

surname; family name; hereditary title (used in ancient Japan to denote rank and political standing); hereditary title (used in ancient Japan to denote rank and political standing)

JLPT N2 common word

Meaning

n
surname; family name
n
hereditary title (used in ancient Japan to denote rank and political standing)
n
hereditary title (used in ancient Japan to denote rank and political standing); kabane
n archaic
clan

Example sentences

彼女は結婚前スミス姓だった。

She was a Smith before her marriage.
池田が姓で和子が名です。

Ikeda is my last name, and Kazuko is my first name.
姓だけを大文字で書きなさい。

Write only your family name in capitals.