姓 xìng
“family name; surname; to be surnamed”
verb, nounHSK 2 · 2021 list level 2Measure word 个
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
姓 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 464: 姓 xìng — Level 2; official annotation 2 (名、动). PDF page 91
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 姓
姓 means “family name” and is also the verb “to have as a family name.” Use it before the surname (我姓王) or in questions with 什么 (您姓什么?). Do not put 是 between the subject and 姓.
例句Example sentences
- 我姓王。wǒ xìng wáng.My family name is Wang.
- 请问，您姓什么？qǐng wèn, nín xìng shén me?Excuse me, what is your family name?
- 她姓李，不姓张。tā xìng lǐ, bú xìng zhāng.Her family name is Li, not Zhang.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我姓是王。
✓我姓王。
姓 is a verb here, so no 是 is needed before the surname.
易混词Easily confused
姓vs名字
姓 is only the family name; 名字 usually means given name or full name, so ask 你姓什么？ for the surname and 你叫什么名字？ for the full name.