Translation and Meaning of: 名 - na

The Japanese word 名[な] is a fundamental term for those learning the language or interested in Japanese culture. Its main meaning is "name," but it carries nuances and uses that go beyond this simple translation. In this article, we will explore everything from its origin and writing to its cultural context and practical examples of how this word appears in everyday Japanese life.

In addition to being essential for basic communication, 名[な] is also present in important expressions and grammatical constructions. If you have used the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you have probably noticed how this word appears in different contexts. Let's unveil its details so that you can understand and memorize it more easily.

Meaning and origin of 名[な]

The kanji 名 is composed of two elements: 夕 (yū), which represents the evening, and 口 (kuchi), which means "mouth." Together, they suggest the idea of "calling someone at dusk," an ancient reference to personal identification. This etymology reflects the cultural importance of names in Japan, where they carry history and identity.

While the most common reading is な (na), the kanji can also be read as めい (mei) in certain contexts, such as in 有名 (ゆうめい - famous). Despite its simplicity, 名[な] is a versatile word, appearing in both formal and informal situations. Its use dates back to classical texts, demonstrating its relevance over the centuries.

Everyday use and common expressions

In everyday life, 名[な] is often used to ask or inform names, as in the phrase "お名前は？" (おなまえは？ - What is your name?). This construction is polite and widely used in social interactions. Another example is the expression 名刺 (めいし - business card), where the kanji retains its meaning of identification.

It is noteworthy that 名[な] also appears in compound words that go beyond the literal meaning of "name." In 名人 (めいじん), for example, it refers to a "master" or "expert," demonstrating how the term has evolved to denote skill and recognition. These variations enrich the vocabulary and help to understand the Japanese mindset.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember the kanji 名 is to associate its components with the idea of "calling someone by mouth at dusk." This mental image makes it easier to memorize both the writing and the meaning. Additionally, practicing with simple sentences like "私の名前は..." (わたしのなまえは... - My name is...) helps to reinforce the correct usage.

Interestingly, in some regional dialects of Japan, such as the Kansai dialect, 名[な] can appear in unique expressions, although its basic pronunciation remains the same. Another interesting fact is that, in Japanese culture, proper names often carry deep meanings, reinforcing the importance of this word in the language and society.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 名前 (Namae) - Name
• 名称 (Meishou) - Name or designation, usually used in a more formal way.
• 氏名 (Shimei) - Full name
• お名前 (Onamae) - Your name (polite form)
• 有名 (Yuumei) - famous
• 著名 (Chomei) - Prominent, recognized
• 名物 (Meibutsu) - Locally famous product
• 名産 (Meisan) - Product characteristic of a region
• 名所 (Meisho) - Famous place or tourist spot
• 名門 (Meimon) - Prestigious family
• 名流 (Meiryu) - Known personality
• 名家 (Meika) - Famous or respected family
• 名人 (Meijin) - Expert or famous person in a particular field
• 名声 (Meisei) - Reputação, fama
• 名誉 (Meiyo) - Honor, prestige
• 名簿 (Meibo) - Lista de nomes
• 名刺 (Meishi) - Business Card
• 名札 (Namada) - Identification (commonly used on uniforms)
• 名前を呼ぶ (Namae o yobun) - Chamar pelo nome
• 名乗る (Nanoru) - Identify yourself, say your name.
• 名付ける (Nazukeru) - Nomear
• 名残 (Nagori) - Traces, memories of something that has ended
• 名残惜しい (Nagori oshii) - Hard to say goodbye, sad to leave something behind.
• 名物料理 (Meibutsu ryouri) - Famous dish from a region

名

Romaji: na
Kana: な
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: name; reputation

Meaning in English: name;reputation

Definition: A word used to distinguish people or things from others.

Example Sentences - (名) na

See below some example sentences:

私の本名は山田太郎です。

Watashi no honmyou wa Yamada Taro desu

My real name is Yamada Taro.

My real name is Taro Yamada.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 本名 (honmyou) - It means "real name" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 山田太郎 (Yamada Taro) - proper name in Japanese, composed of surname (Yamada) and given name (Taro)
• です (desu) - the verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate identity or characteristics

宛名を書いてください。

Atena wo kaite kudasai

Please write recipient.

Please write the address.

• 宛名 - Recipient's name and address
• を - object particle
• 書いて - Form of the verb "escrever" in the imperative
• ください - Expression of a polite request or solicitation

名残惜しいですね。

Nagori oshii desu ne

It's a shame this has to end.

Sorry.

• 名残 - Nostalgia, longing
• 惜しい - precious, valuable
• です - Verb "to be" in the present
• ね - End-of-sentence particle to emphasize or confirm something

仮名を勉強するのは楽しいです。

Kana wo benkyou suru no wa tanoshii desu

Learning kana is fun.

It's fun to study Kana.

• 仮名 - means "kana", which is one of the Japanese writing systems.
• 勉強する - means "to study".
• のは - is a particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 楽しい - means "fun" or "pleasant".
• です - is a polite way of saying "is" or "is".

仮名遣いは日本語の重要な要素です。

Kanazukai wa nihongo no juuyou na youso desu

Japanese spelling is an important element of the Japanese language.

The passive noun is an important factor in Japanese.

• 仮名遣い (kana-yomi) - the Japanese writing system that uses syllabic characters (hiragana and katakana) to represent sounds and ideograms (kanji) to represent words
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 要素 (yousou) - element, component
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

ダース・ベイダーはスター・ウォーズの有名なキャラクターです。

Dāsu Beidā wa Sutā Wōzu no yūmei na kyarakutā desu

Darth Vader is a famous character from Star Wars.

Darth Vader is a famous character from Star Wars.

• ダース・ベイダー - fictional character
• は - Topic particle
• スター・ウォーズ - title of a movie franchise
• の - Possession particle
• 有名な - adjective meaning "famous"
• キャラクター - noun meaning "character"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この欄には名前を書いてください。

Kono ran ni wa namae wo kaite kudasai

Please write your name in this field.

Write the name in this column.

• この欄 - This field
• には - indicates where the action should take place
• 名前 - Name
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書いてください - please write

この町にはたくさんの名所があります。

Kono machi ni wa takusan no meisho ga arimasu

There are many famous places in this city.

There are many famous places in this city.

• この町には - "In this city"
• たくさんの - "Muitos"
• 名所 - "Tourist attractions"
• が - Subject particle
• あります - "There are"

この料理は名人の手によって作られました。

Kono ryōri wa meijin no te ni yotte tsukuraremashita

This dish was made by a master chef.

This dish was made by the master.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - Topic tag that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this cuisine"
• 名人 - noun that means "specialist" or "master"
• の - possessive particle indicating the possession relationship, in this case "of the master"
• 手 - noun that means "hand" or "skill"
• によって - "done by the hands of the master"
• 作られました - passive verb in the past form that means "was done" or "was prepared"

この小説は名作だと思います。

Kono shousetsu wa meisaku da to omoimasu

I think this novel is a masterpiece.

I think this novel is a masterpiece.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 小説 - noun "romance/novel"
• は - Topic particle
• 名作 - noun "masterpiece"
• だ - verb "to be" in the affirmative form
• と - Quote particle
• 思います - verb "think" in the polite form