xìng: 姓 - Surname, Family Name

Keywords: Chinese surname, xìng, 姓, Chinese family name, what is your last name in Chinese, how to ask for last name Chinese, Chinese name order, bǎi jiā xìng, 百家姓, nín guìxìng, 您贵姓

Summary: The Chinese character 姓 (xìng) means surname or family name. In China, the surname is a cornerstone of personal identity, always placed *before* the given name, reflecting the cultural importance of family and ancestry. Learning how to politely ask for someone's surname with the phrase “您贵姓？(Nín guìxìng?)” is a fundamental step for any student of Chinese, opening the door to respectful and culturally aware introductions.

Pinyin (with tone marks): xìng

Part of Speech: Noun, Verb

HSK Level: HSK 1

Concise Definition: A surname or family name; to be surnamed.

In a Nutshell: 姓 (xìng) is the name you inherit from your family, like “Smith” or “Jones.” However, it's much more than just a “last name.” In Chinese culture, it's your *first* name in every sense, coming before your given name and connecting you to a long line of ancestors. It can be used as a noun (“my surname is…”) or a verb (“I am surnamed…”), making it a very versatile and essential word in daily conversation.

Together, they literally mean “born of a woman.” This points to the ancient matrilineal origins of Chinese society, where lineage and clan names were passed down through the mother. While China is now a patriarchal society, the character 姓 remains a linguistic fossil, preserving this fascinating piece of history.

The concept of 姓 (xìng) is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese culture, signifying one's roots, lineage, and place in society. The collective family identity often takes precedence over the individual.

A classic text that every Chinese person knows of is the 《百家姓》(Bǎi Jiā Xìng), or “The Hundred Family Surnames.” This rhyming book, composed over 1,000 years ago, lists the most common surnames and was used to help children learn characters. The fact that such a text exists highlights the profound importance placed on surnames.

Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, a person's first name is typically seen as their primary identifier (e.g., “Hi, I'm John.”). Their last name, Smith, is secondary. In China, the reverse is true. Introducing yourself with your family name first (e.g., “我姓王 Wǒ xìng Wáng” - “My surname is Wang”) establishes your connection to a larger group. This reflects a more collectivist mindset, where family honor and identity are paramount, in contrast to the more individualistic focus in many Western cultures. Addressing someone as 王先生 (Wáng xiānsheng), or Mr. Wang, is far more common and respectful than using their given name unless you are a close friend or family member.

Name Order: Always remember: Family Name (姓) + Given Name (名). A person named `李华 (Lǐ Huà)` has the surname `李 (Lǐ)` and the given name `华 (Huà)`. Calling him “Mr. Hua” is a common but significant error. He is “Mr. Li” (李先生, Lǐ xiānsheng).

Responding to `您贵姓？`: While the traditional, humble response is `免贵姓… (Miǎn guì xìng…)`, it can sound a bit old-fashioned in casual, modern contexts. Simply replying with `我姓… (Wǒ xìng…)` is perfectly acceptable and very common.

名字 (míngzi) - Given name (e.g., Wei, in Zhang Wei). It can also refer to the full name in casual contexts.

姓名 (xìngmíng) - Full name. This is a more formal and written term combining `姓` (surname) and `名` (given name).

您贵姓 (nín guìxìng) - The standard polite phrase to ask for someone's “honorable surname.”

百家姓 (Bǎi Jiā Xìng) - “The Hundred Family Surnames.” A classic literary text listing common Chinese surnames, reflecting the cultural weight of lineage.

氏 (shì) - Clan name. Historically, `姓` came from the mother's line (representing a large, ancient tribe) and `氏` came from the father's fiefdom or official position (a smaller branch). In modern Chinese, they have merged, and `姓` is used for the family name.

称呼 (chēnghu) - To call, to address; a form of address. How you address someone is often based on their `姓` (e.g., 王总 Wáng zǒng - Director Wang).

同姓 (tóngxìng) - Having the same surname. People with the same surname might feel a distant sense of kinship, sometimes joking that they belonged to the “same family 500 years ago.”