sing3 si6姓氏
Jyutpingsing3 si6
Yalesing sih
Definition
Surname; last name; family name.
neutralpeople
How it's used
While 姓氏 is the formal term for surname, it is rarely used in casual conversation. When asking for someone's name, Hong Kongers almost always use the phrase 貴姓 or 姓咩. Using 姓氏 in daily speech can sound overly academic or like you are filling out a government form.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
His surname is very rare.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 姓氏 when asking someone's name in a social setting. It sounds like you are conducting a census or a formal interview rather than making small talk.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
