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姓を変える
sei o kaeru
change one's surname
結婚を機に姓を変えた。
I changed my surname when I got married.
formal
To legally change one's family name, often due to marriage or personal reasons.
彼は結婚を機に姓を変えた。
He changed his surname when he got married.
姓を変えるには手続きが必要だ。
You need to go through procedures to change your surname.
In Japan, changing one's surname (especially after marriage) is legally permitted but requires formal registration at a local ward office.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Note
In Japan, married couples traditionally adopt the husband's surname, though this is not legally required. Some couples choose to keep their original surnames or use a hyphenated surname.
Gold Rule
Legal Process
Changing one's surname in Japan requires submitting an application to the local ward office and updating official documents such as the family register (koseki).
Word Origin
姓 (sei) means 'surname' or 'family name', and 変える (kaeru) means 'to change' or 'to alter'. The phrase combines these two words to form a compound verb meaning 'to change one's surname'.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in legal and personal contexts. In Japan, changing one's surname after marriage is a cultural practice, though not mandatory. The process involves submitting an application to the local government office.
Word Breakdown
姓
surname or family name
nounを
object marker
particle変える
to change
verb和英辞典