变名易姓 — “To change one's name and surname”

变名易姓 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to change one's name and surname”. To assume a new identity or alias, often to conceal one's past or start a new life. Literally, “Change name, change surname”.

Frequency

变名易姓 Pronunciation and Pinyin

变名易姓 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
变	biàn	8	change, transform, become
名	míng	6	name, reputation, famous
易	yì	8	easy, change, or trade
姓	xìng	8	family name

Example Sentence with 变名易姓

为了摆脱过去，他选择了变名易姓，在一个陌生的城市开始了全新的生活。

To escape his past, he chose to change his name and identity, starting a completely new life in an unfamiliar city.

Origin and Story of 变名易姓

During the late Spring and Autumn period, Fan Li and Wen Zhong, both from the State of Chu, became high-ranking officials in the State of Yue. They tirelessly assisted King Goujian, who had been defeated by King Fuchai of the State of Wu. Through their strategic guidance and unwavering efforts, they eventually helped the State of Yue become powerful enough to conquer the State of Wu.

Fan Li, however, deeply understood King Goujian's suspicious and often ruthless nature once his goals were achieved. He wisely decided to leave the court. He went to the State of Qi, where he changed his name and surname ( 变名易姓 ) to conceal his true identity and started a new life as a successful merchant.

He tried to persuade Wen Zhong to also depart, cautioning him with the proverb: 'When the cunning rabbits are dead, the hunting dogs are boiled.' However, Wen Zhong did not heed his friend's warning and remained. As Fan Li had foreseen, Wen Zhong was later executed by King Goujian.