Using the verb "xing"

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The verb 姓 (xìng) literally means "to be surnamed" or "to have the surname." This can be a verb that you'll use quite often.

Giving One's Surname

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

Structure

Subj. + 姓 + Surname

Examples

  • 王。xìng Wáng.My last name is Wang.
  • 你老板 宋 吗? Nǐ lǎobǎn xìng Sòng ma?Is your boss‘ last name Song?
  • 那 个 帅哥 张。Nà gè shuàigē xìng Zhāng.That handsome guy's last name is Zhang.
  • 我 爸爸 周,我 妈妈 林 。我 叫 周林。Wǒ bàba xìng Zhōu, wǒ māmā xìng Lín. Wǒ jiào Zhōu Lín.My father's last name is Zhou, my mother's last name is Lin. My name is Zhou Lin.
  • 他 女朋友 钱。Tā nǚpéngyou xìng Qián.His girlfriend's last name is Qian.
  • 你好,我 毛。Nǐ hǎo, wǒ xìng Máo.Hello. My last name is Mao.
  • 赵,我 太太 也 赵。xìng Zhào, wǒ tàitài yě xìng Zhào.My last name is Zhao. My wife's last name is also Zhao.
  • 我 的 中文 老师 于。Wǒ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī xìng Yú.My Chinese teacher's last name is Yu.
  • 你 奶奶 也 陈 吗 ? Nǐ nǎinai yěxìng Chén ma?Is your grandma's last name also Chen?
  • 他们 都 李。Tāmen dōu xìng Lǐ.All of their last names are Li.

Asking Someone's Surname

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

  • 你 姓 什么 ? Nǐ xìng shénme?What is your last name?

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

  • 您 贵 姓 ?Nín guìxìng?What is your honorable surname?

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

See also

Sources and further reading