surname

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 姓 means surname; its on-reading is せい.
• Basic usage: 姓(せい) means a family name, while 姓名(せいめい) means the full name, including family and given names.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Writing a family name and writing a full name
  • 名の前に姓を書く means writing the family name before the given name. Here 姓 and 名 identify the family and given names separately.
  • 姓名を記入した means that someone entered their full name. 姓名 includes both the family and given names.