surname
UK/ˈsɜːrneɪm/US/'sә:neim/
IELTSA2
Definitions
n.
A hereditary family name; the name shared by a family
姓，姓氏
v.
To give a surname to
给……以姓氏
Root Breakdown
Native Englishsur-over, above
+
nameroot
=surname
sur- (over, above, additional) + name = 'a name added on top of' your given name. Historically your first name was personal; the surname was the extra, family name layered over it. (name itself is the Germanic cousin of Latin nōmen.)
Common Collocations
- 1.family surname家族姓氏
- 2.maiden surname娘家姓
- 3.common surname常见的姓
- 4.share a surname同姓
Example Sentences
- 1.
In China, the surname comes before the given name.
- 2.
Please write your surname in capital letters.