godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb, transitive verb
give one's name; introduce oneself
Standard use for stating one's name or identity when meeting someone or in formal contexts. Can be used both intransitively and transitively (e.g., ～と名乗る).
受付で名前を名乗ってください。
Please give your name at the reception desk.
彼は山田と名乗った
He introduced himself as Yamada.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb, transitive verb
claim to be; call oneself; style oneself
Used when someone asserts a title, role, or identity, often with a nuance of self-proclamation or pretense. Common in patterns like ～を名乗る or ～と名乗る.
彼は専門家を名乗っているが、資格はない。
He calls himself an expert, but he has no qualifications.
その団体は平和主義を名乗っている。
The group claims to be pacifist.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb, transitive verb
reveal oneself as; admit to being
Used when someone discloses their true identity, often after hiding it. Can carry a dramatic or confessional tone.
犯人は自ら名乗り出た。
The culprit came forward and revealed himself.
彼はついにスパイだと名乗った。
He finally admitted to being a spy.
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb
adopt as one's name; take a name
Used when someone formally takes or assumes a new name, such as a stage name, pen name, or inherited title.
彼は師匠の名を名乗ることを許された。
He was allowed to take his master's name.
作家はペンネームを名乗っている。
The writer uses a pen name.
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
call out one's wares
Archaic use; referred to street vendors announcing the goods they were selling. Not used in modern Japanese.
江戸時代、行商人は品物を名乗って売り歩いた。
In the Edo period, peddlers walked around calling out their goods.