About
The character 姓, meaning surname, is structured from the semantic component 女 (woman) and the phonetic component 生 (to bear), indicating its original connection to matrilineal descent groups in early Chinese society, where it identified clans tracing origin through a common female ancestor. As kinship systems shifted, the term's reference transitioned from these maternal clans to patrilineal family names, eventually becoming the general word for hereditary surnames used today.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我的姓氏是王。
你的姓氏是什么？
她姓李，叫李芳。
请问您贵姓？
在中国，姓氏很重要。
他的姓和我的姓一样。
你知道她姓什么吗？
姓氏通常随父亲。