姓 xìng surname
surname; to be surnamed
How to remember 姓: 女 woman + 生 life = surname. The woman who has just given life to twins proudly tells the nurse which surname they will have.
Component breakdown
姓 = 女 woman + 生 life
- 女 woman
- 生 life
- ㇒ falling stroke
- 龶 plant
The woman who has just given life to twins proudly tells the nurse which surname they will have.
How it is used
- Family name (vs 名 given name): 你姓什么? (nǐ xìng shénme?) what's your surname?
- Works as a verb - 我姓王 (wǒ xìng Wáng) my surname is Wang; you can't say 我是姓王.
- 贵姓 (guìxìng) is the polite 'your honorable surname?'; 老百姓 (lǎobǎixìng) 'the hundred surnames' = ordinary folk.
Words with 姓
Example sentences
- 您贵姓？ Nín guìxìng?What's your surname please?