Using the verb "xing"

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:

• 我 姓 王。
• 他 姓 李。
• 那 个 很 帅 的 男人 姓 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.