贵姓 (guì xìng) is a formal, respectful way to ask someone’s surname in Chinese. Literally, 贵 means 'esteemed' or 'honorable', and 姓 means 'surname' or 'family name'. Together, they form an honorific phrase meaning 'your esteemed surname', reflecting traditional Chinese values of politeness and deference toward others—especially elders, superiors, or people you’ve just met. It is never used to refer to one’s own surname; instead, it’s exclusively for addressing others.

This expression is common in face-to-face introductions, business meetings, or formal correspondence. While it sounds polite, using it with close friends or family may seem overly stiff or even ironic. In modern spoken Mandarin, younger people sometimes use the simpler 你姓什么？ (nǐ xìng shénme?) in casual settings—but 贵姓 remains standard in professional or respectful contexts. It’s typically followed by a response like 我姓王 (wǒ xìng Wáng) or simply 王 (Wáng).