HSK 2, v, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #2420, Medium
姓
xìng
surname
HSK 2, v, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #2420, Medium
姓
xìng
>个[gè]
HSK 2, v, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #2420, Medium
姓
xìng
to be surnamed
HSK 2, v, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #2420, Medium
姓
xìng
name, family name, surname; clan, people
HSK 2, v, 8 strokes, radical 女, rank #2420, Medium
xìng(xing4) T4
1family name
2surname
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
姓xìng(xing4)
The character 姓 (xìng) refers to a family name or surname in Chinese culture, indicating one's lineage. It is commonly used when asking or stating someone's surname and is a key part of personal identification in Chinese society.
Strokes8Radical女Frequency#2420DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the surname is extremely important and is often placed before the given name, reflecting familial heritage and respect for ancestors. Certain surnames carry historical significance and can be tied to specific regions or clans.
Memory Tip
Imagine a family tree (the '姓' character) where members are connected by their shared surname, representing their clan. The '女' (woman) radical inside this character can remind you that surnames are often passed down through families, linking generations.
Meanings of 姓
xìng(xing4)
1family name
2surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 姓
姓Simplified
8Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2420Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 姓
Podcast: 姓
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AI Study Notes for 姓
Quick Contrast
姓 (xìng) vs 名 (míng) — use 姓 when referring to a family name, while 名 refers specifically to a given name.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a family tree (the '姓' character) where members are connected by their shared surname, representing their clan. The '女' (woman) radical inside this character can remind you that surnames are often passed down through families, linking generations.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 姓 (xìng) with 名 (míng), which means 'given name.' In conversational contexts, it's common to ask someone their 姓 when meeting them, but it's more formal to ask for their 全名 (quánmíng) or full name. Remember that the tone is crucial; xìng has a falling tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 vocabulary word, 姓 connects to other personal identification terms, such as 名 (name) and 叫 (to be called). Students should focus on using it in questions and introductions, like '你姓什么?' (What is your surname?).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the surname is extremely important and is often placed before the given name, reflecting familial heritage and respect for ancestors. Certain surnames carry historical significance and can be tied to specific regions or clans.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly mix up 姓 and 名; for instance, saying '我名王' (Wǒ míng Wáng) instead of '我姓王' (Wǒ xìng Wáng). Additionally, some forget to use the correct tone, leading to misunderstandings.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 姓
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Grammar Patterns of 姓
姓 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Both mother and daughter, who have requested anonymity, are doing fine.
4
他要了我的姓名和地址，匆匆写在他的笔记本上。
tā yào le wǒ de xìng míng hé dì zhǐ， ， cōng cōng xiě zài tā de bǐ jì běn。
He took my name and address, scribbling it down in his notebook.
5
诺先科苦苦思索终于想起了库佳的姓。
nuò xiān kē kǔ kǔ sī suǒ zhōng yú xiǎng qǐ le kù jiā de xìng。
Nosenko puzzled out Kutya's surname.
6
在那块刻有哈考特·西布利医生姓名的久经风雨的黄铜牌映衬下，门柱更增添了几分庄重。
zài nà kuài kè yǒu hā kǎo tè· · xī bù lì yī shēng xìng míng de jiǔ jīng fēng yǔ de huáng tóng pái yìng chèn， xià ， mén zhù gēng zēng tiān le jī fēn。
The gatepost was dignified by the weathered brass plate of Dr Harcourt Sibley.
7
这一所并不十分大的公馆里分住了三家人家,有三个不同的姓.
zhè yī suǒ bìng bù shí fēn dà de gōng guǎn lǐ fēn zhù le sān jiā rén jiā, , yǒu sān gè bù tóng de.
Although not very large, the compound was shared by three families.
8
“ 不行, ” 姓吴的忧愁地说;但随即咽住了,捻着唇边仅有的几根二三分长的髭须.
“ “ bù,” háng , ” xìng wú de yōu chóu; dì shuō ; dàn suí jí, yān zhù le , niǎn zháo chún biān jǐn yǒu de jī gēn èr sān fēn.
" Bad,'said Wu looking worried and toying with his moustache.
9
她的名字叫玛丽。我不知道她姓什么。
tā de míng zì jiào mǎ lì。 。 wǒ bù zhī dào tā xìng shí。
Her first name was Mary. I don't know what her surname was.
10
他叫汤姆，姓格林。
tā jiào tāng mǔ， ， xìng gé。
His first name is Tom and his surname is Green.
Cultural Notes for 姓
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the surname is extremely important and is often placed before the given name, reflecting familial heritage and respect for ancestors. Certain surnames carry historical significance and can be tied to specific regions or clans.
Word Family of 姓
Words Containing This Character13
姓xìngsurname
姓名xìngmíngfull name
百姓common people
老百姓lǎobǎixìngordinary people
姓氏xìngshìfamily name
隐姓埋名living incognito隱姓埋名
贵姓what is your surname?貴姓
鱼肉百姓to prey on the people魚肉百姓
百家姓The Book of Family Names, anonymous Song dynasty reading primer listing 438 surnames
复姓two-character surname such as 司馬|司马 or 諸葛|诸葛複姓
赐姓to bestow a surname (of emperor conferring favor on ethnic group)賜姓
汉姓Han surname漢姓
隐名埋姓living incognito隱名埋姓
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 姓 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 姓
You can say '我姓李' (Wǒ xìng Lǐ), which means 'My surname is Li.'
No, 姓 specifically refers to surnames. For first names, use 名 (míng).
You can ask '你姓什么?' (Nǐ xìng shénme?), which means 'What is your surname?'
