姓

• Pinyin: xìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 姓 = 女 (woman) + 生 (to be born) — clan identity passed through the mother in ancient times

Meaning

Surname; family name; to be surnamed. Used to state or ask about someone's family name.

As a noun, 姓 means 'surname' or 'family name.' As a verb, it means 'to have the surname' — e.g., 我姓王 (My surname is Wang). In Chinese culture, the surname comes before the given name and carries great significance. The polite way to ask someone's name is 您贵姓 (What is your honourable surname?).

Examples

1. 请问您贵姓？ May I ask your surname?
2. 我姓李，叫李明。 My surname is Li — my full name is Li Ming.
3. 他们两个人姓一样的。 The two of them have the same surname.

Usage Guide

Context: introduction, formal, everyday

Tone: polite

Do Say

• 您贵姓？(What is your surname? — polite form)
• 我姓张。(My surname is Zhang.)

Don't Say

• 我的姓是王。(While grammatically possible, the natural way is 我姓王, using 姓 as a verb. 我的姓是... sounds stiff and unnatural.)

Origin & History

Compound of 女 (woman) and 生 (to be born), reflecting the matrilineal origins of Chinese clan names in ancient society.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal