(shì) — clan; family name (used after a surname to refer to the person respectfully)

Definition

A bound classical/formal form meaning 'clan' or 'family name,' used after a surname (e.g., 王氏 the Wang clan) or in names like 轩辕氏. Modern spoken Chinese prefers 姓 for surnames and 家族 for clans; 氏 sounds literary.

bound form
clanfamily name (used after a surname to refer to the person respectfully)

Examples

  • shì Zuò wéi xìng shì de yí bù fen, zài zhōng guó wén huà zhōng hěn zhòng yào.
    As part of the surname, 氏 is very important in Chinese culture.
  • Zhè wèi shì lǐ shì jí tuán de dǒng shì zhǎng.
    This is the chairman of the Li Group.
  • Wáng shì jiā zú lì shǐ yōu jiǔ.
    The Wang clan has a long history.

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