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N5

Kanji 名: meanings, readings, and example words.

3 min read

Kanji 名: name, noted, distinguished, reputation

Key takeaways

Kanji 名: name, noted, distinguished, reputation. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N5

Meaning

namenoteddistinguishedreputation

On reading

メイミョウ

Kun reading

-な

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 名

name, noted, distinguished, reputation

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

夕 + 口

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

In the darkness of the evening (夕), you cannot see faces clearly. Therefore, you must use your mouth (口) to call out a person's name to identify them.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

メイ
  • 記名きめい

    signature / registration

  • 姓名せいめい

    full name

  • 著名ちょめい

    well-known / famous / noted

  • 本名ほんみょう

    real name / true name

  • 名産めいさん

    noted product / specialty

  • 名称めいしょう

    name / title / designation

  • 名簿めいぼ

    list of names / register

  • 名誉めいよ

    honor / prestige / reputation

Kun reading

  • 名残なごり

    remains / traces / memory

  • 名高いなだかい

    famous / well-known / celebrated

  • 名付けるなづける

    to give a name to someone or something

  • 名札なふだ

    name tag / name plate

  • 宛名あてな

    address / recipient's name

  • 送り仮名おくりがな

    kana ending in kanji words

  • 片仮名かたかな

    katakana (Japanese script)

  • 仮名かな

    alias / pen name / pseudonym

Commonly used words

  • 記名
    きめい

    signature / registration

  • 姓名
    せいめい

    full name

  • 著名
    ちょめい

    well-known / famous / noted

  • 本名
    ほんみょう

    real name / true name

  • 名産
    めいさん

    noted product / specialty

  • 名称
    めいしょう

    name / title / designation

  • 名残
    なごり

    remains / traces / memory

  • 名高い
    なだかい

    famous / well-known / celebrated

  • 名付ける
    なづける

    to give a name to someone or something

  • 名札
    なふだ

    name tag / name plate

  • 宛名
    あてな

    address / recipient's name

  • 送り仮名
    おくりがな

    kana ending in kanji words

Example sentences

Example 1

イベントで記してください。

Translation

Please register with your name at the event.

Example 2

入りの手紙をもらった。

Translation

I received a letter with a signature.

Example 3

パスポートに姓を記入してください。

Translation

Please write your full name on the passport.

Example 4

彼の姓を忘れてしまった。

Translation

I forgot his full name.

Kanji 名: name, noted, distinguished, reputation | Daily Nihongo