Using the verb "xing"

The verb 姓 (xìng) literally means "to be surnamed" or "to have the surname."

Giving One's Surname

You can use 姓 to tell someone your own surname, or that of someone else.

Structure

Subject + 姓 + Surname

Examples

• 我 姓 王。My last name is Wang.
• 他 姓 李。His last name is Li.
• 那 个 很 帅 的 男人 姓 张。That handsome guy's last name is Zhang.

Asking Someone's Surname

You can also use 姓 to ask people their surnames. You could do this quite directly by saying:

• 你 姓 什么 ? What is your last name?

However, the polite way to ask has a set form:

• 您 贵 姓 ？What is your honourable surname?

Literally this means "What is your honourable surname?" Use this form to be polite when asking people their surnames.

See also

• Using the verb jiao
• Introducing people

Sources and further reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 22-3) →buy