How to say "autograph" in Japanese

• サインJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe default word for a celebrity's autograph and for an ordinary signature on a document or form; when you ask a performer for an autograph, this is the word you use.
  もし彼女かのじょに気付きづいていたら、私はサインをもらっていただろう。↗

  If I had noticed her, I would have got her autograph.
• 署名しょめいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbChiefly a signature in the sense of putting one's name to a contract, petition, or other document; its 'autograph' sense is secondary, so it is seldom the word for a celebrity's signed name.
  この手紙てがみには署名しょめいがない。↗

  This letter bears no signature.
• 直筆じきひつCommon
  no-adjectiveDescribes a text written in the person's own hand — a handwritten letter or manuscript, for instance — rather than the act of signing a name; for a celebrity's autograph, サイン is the usual choice.
  直筆じきひつサイン入いりボールを手てに入いれることができた。↗

  I was able to obtain a personally signed ball.
• 自筆じひつCommon
  no-adjectiveNear-synonym of 直筆: something written in the person's own hand rather than by someone else; it also renders 'holograph', a document written entirely in its author's hand.
• 肉筆にくひつCommon
  no-adjectiveAlso 'in the person's own hand', with the nuance of a genuine handwritten original as opposed to a print or copy; in this sense it overlaps with 直筆 and 自筆.
  これは良りょうの肉筆にくひつの手紙てがみだ。↗

  This is a letter of Ryo's in his own handwriting.

Use 「サイン」 for a celebrity's autograph or an everyday signature, 署名 for signing documents such as contracts and petitions, and 直筆, 自筆, or 肉筆 when something is written in a person's own hand.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• サインautograph
• 署名しょめいsignature
• 直筆じきひつone's own handwriting
• 自筆じひつone's own handwriting
• 肉筆にくひつone's own handwriting
• 真筆しんぴつautograph
• 自署じしょsignature