Using the verb "xing"

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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

Some examples:

  • 王。
  • 李。
  • 那 个 很 帅 的 男人 葛。

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

Sources and further reading

Books