Explanation of "Surname"
Definition:
A "surname" is a family name that is shared by members of the same family. It is different from a given name, which is the name you are called personally. For example, in the name "John Smith," "Smith" is the surname, and "John" is the given name.
Usage Instructions:
In most cultures, the surname comes after the given name. For example, "Maria Garcia," where "Garcia" is the surname.
In some cultures, the surname may come before the given name. For example, in some East Asian cultures, "Li Wei" has "Li" as the surname.
Examples:
"My surname is Johnson."
"In many English-speaking countries, people often refer to each other by their surnames in formal situations."
Advanced Usage:
In formal documents, such as passports or legal papers, your surname is usually the name that identifies your family lineage.
Surnames can also indicate cultural background or heritage. For example, "Nguyen" is a common Vietnamese surname.
Word Variants:
Given Name: This is the name you are called personally, such as "Alice."
Middle Name: This is an additional name that can be between the given name and the surname, like "Alice Marie Smith."
Different Meaning:
Synonyms:
Related Terms:
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While there are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "surname," you might hear phrases like: - "By name and surname," which means to know someone’s full name. - "To name someone," which means to give someone a name, including their surname.
Summary:
A surname is important for identifying family relationships and cultural backgrounds.