Definition
姓氏 (xìngshì) is a formal, collective noun meaning 'surname' or 'family name', often used when talking about surnames as a category or system. It is more formal and literary than 姓 (xìng), which is the everyday word for a surname and can also be used as a verb ('to be surnamed'). 贵姓 (guì xìng) is a polite phrase only used to ask someone's surname respectfully.
noun
family namesurname
Easily confused
- 形式xíng shìsound-alikeform; outer appearance (as opposed to content)
- 形势xíng shìsound-alike(noun) situation, circumstances
- 刑事xíng shìsound-alikecriminal (attributive), penal
- 行驶xíng shǐsound-aliketo travel along a route (of vehicles)
- 行使xíng shǐsound-aliketo exercise (a right, power, authority, etc.)
Examples
- 姓氏？Qǐngwèn nín de xìng shì zěnme chēnghu?May I ask what your family name is?
- ，姓氏。Zài Zhōngguó, Lǐ hé Wáng shì zuì chángjiàn de xìng shì.In China, Li and Wang are the most common surnames.
- 姓氏。Tōngguò xìng shì kěyǐ liǎojiě yí gè jiātíng de lìshǐ.Through one's family name, you can learn about a family's history.
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