<P> Modern Chinese names consist of a surname known as xing ( 姓 , xìng ) , which comes first and is usually but not always monosyllabic , followed by a personal name called ming ( 名 , míng ) , which is nearly always mono - or disyllabic . Prior to the 20th century , educated Chinese also utilized a `` courtesy name '' or `` style name '' called zi ( 字 , zì ) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends . </P>
<P> Modern Chinese names consist of a surname known as xing ( 姓 , xìng ) , which comes first and is usually but not always monosyllabic , followed by a personal name called ming ( 名 , míng ) , which is nearly always mono - or disyllabic . Prior to the 20th century , educated Chinese also utilized a `` courtesy name '' or `` style name '' called zi ( 字 , zì ) by which they were known among those outside their family and closest friends . </P>
where is the surname written in a chinese name
where is the surname written in a chinese name
first
first