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Yamaguchi 山口 – Japanese surname

Yamaguchi (山口) is read やまぐち and has 4 syllables. It is a family name. Written as 山口, the characters mean: mountain + mouth. This reading can be written with one kanji combination, with 6 strokes.

About the name Yamaguchi

Yamaguchi (山口) means mountain mouth, an entrance to the mountains. It is also the name of a prefecture at the western tip of Honshu.

How to write Yamaguchi in Japanese

Kanji	Reading	Literal meaning	Strokes
山口	やまぐち	mountain + mouth	6

Meanings are literal translations of each kanji. Names are often chosen for sound, so the intended meaning can differ.

The kanji in Yamaguchi

山

mountain

3 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: サン、セン Kun: やま

口

mouth

3 strokes, taught in elementary school, grade 1

On: コウ、ク Kun: くち

Yamaguchi in different scripts

Romaji	Yamaguchi
Hiragana	やまぐち
Katakana	ヤマグチ
Kanji (most common)	山口

Full name examples

Ayumi Yamaguchi (Japanese order: 山口歩美, やまぐちあゆみ)
Yurina Yamaguchi (Japanese order: 山口百合奈, やまぐちゆりな)
Yuki Yamaguchi (Japanese order: 山口結城, やまぐちゆうき)

How to pronounce Yamaguchi

Break it into 4 parts: ya · ma · gu · chi. Japanese has no stressed syllables like English, so say each part with the same length and the same weight. The 4 sound units are written やまぐち.