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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "surname" with 姓 (xìng)

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Subject + 姓 + Surname

    Explanation

    姓 (xìng) means "surname" or "family name." It is commonly used as a verb meaning "to be surnamed" or as a noun referring to one's last name, and appears frequently when introducing someone's identity.

    Examples

    • 你好，请问您贵姓？

      Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn nín guì xìng?

      Hello, may I ask your surname?

    • 我姓王，你可以叫我小王。

      Wǒ xìng Wáng, nǐ kěyǐ jiào wǒ Xiǎo Wáng.

      My surname is Wang — you can call me Xiao Wang.

    • 中国最常见的姓是李、王、张。

      Zhōngguó zuì chángjiàn de xìng shì Lǐ, Wáng, Zhāng.

      The most common surnames in China are Li, Wang, and Zhang.

    Expressing "surname" with 姓 (xìng) | Chinese Grammar