Using the verb "xing"

tell a surname

Structure

The verb 姓 literally means "to be surnamed" or "to have the surname". 姓 can be used to give surnames in the following structure:

Subject + 姓 + Surname

examples

• 我 姓 王。
• 他 姓 李。
• 那 个 很 帅 的 男人 姓 葛。

ask one's surname

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

• 你姓什么?

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

• 您贵姓？

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