xìng

Using the verb "xing"

姓 is a verb meaning "to have the surname" — no 是, no 叫.

Subj. + 姓 + Surname

How it works

你姓什么? is the polite way to ask a surname; 我姓王 is the answer. 我是姓王 is wrong.

The very polite form is 您贵姓? — literally "your honourable surname?" — answered modestly with 免贵姓王 or simply 我姓王.

姓 takes only the surname. Full names go with 叫: 我姓王,叫王明.

Examples

  • nǐ xìng shén me?

    你姓什么?

    What's your surname?

  • wǒ xìng wáng

    我姓王。

    My surname is Wang.

  • nín guì xìng?

    您贵姓?

    May I ask your surname?