贵姓 guìxìng what is your surname?
what is your surname?; (May I ask) your surname?
How to remember 贵姓: 贵 expensive + 姓 surname = what is your surname?.
Characters
How it is used
- A polite way to ask someone's surname - 您贵姓？ (nín guìxìng?) May I ask your surname?
- A fixed courteous formula; the 贵 (honorable) is honorific, so never use it about yourself - answer with the humble 免贵，姓王 or just 我姓王.
- Common in first meetings and formal/service settings.
Example sentences
- 您贵姓？ Nín guìxìng?What's your surname please?