姓 (xìng) — (noun) surname, family name; (verb) to be surnamed, to have the surname
Definition
姓 is the family name only — paired with 名字 (given name) to make a full name 姓名. Use it as a verb with the pattern 'A 姓 B' (A's surname is B).
noun
surnamefamily name
verb
to be surnamedto have the surname
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 姓？Nǐ xìng shén me?What is your surname?
- 姓。Wǒ de xìng shì wáng.My surname is Wang.
- 姓。Tā xìng lǐ.His surname is Li.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
姓 combines 女 (woman) with 生, which gives the pronunciation.
Grammar
Appears in
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