先辈

先輩
xiānbèi
noun #18,811

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 ancestors
  2. 2 forefathers
  3. 3 predecessors
  4. 4 an older generation

Examples

Wǒmen yào jìchéng xiānbèimen de yōuliáng chuántǒng.
We should carry on the fine traditions of our predecessors.
Xiānbèimen wèi guójiā de fāzhǎn zuòchū le jùdà gòngxiàn.
Our forefathers made great contributions to the country's development.

Tips

usage
先辈 is more formal and respectful than 祖先 (ancestors in a genealogical sense). It often refers to previous generations who achieved something noteworthy, not just blood relatives.

Stroke Order

xiān
bèi