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家族

kakei
noun★Intermediate
formal

Family name or surname

å®¶æ—ã説ãã¦ãããã¨ã¯ããã¾ãã

Can you tell me your family name?

💡

In Japanese, family names come before given names (e.g., Yamada Taro).

Collocations

å®¶æ—ã説ãã¦ããto tell someone your family name

Synonyms

Related Phrases

å®¶æ—ãåãphrase
to take a family name (e.g., through marriage)

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Use

While 'å®¶æ—' is formal, in casual settings, people often use just the family name (e.g., 'Yamada-san').

⚡Gold Rule

Order of Names

Always present family names before given names in formal contexts.

📖Word Origin

The term combines 'å®¶' (house/family) and 'æ—' (name), reflecting the importance of family lineage in Japanese culture.

📝Usage Notes

When introducing yourself, it's common to say your family name first, followed by your given name.

Word Breakdown

å®¶
house/family
root
+
æ—
name
root
✎ Noted on May 31, 2026JA → EN

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