返祖

fǎnzǔ
verb

Meanings

  1. 1 to exhibit atavism
  2. 2 to revert to ancestral traits (biology)

Examples

Zhè zhǒng jīyīn biànyì shì yī zhǒng fǎnzǔ xiànxiàng.
This genetic mutation is a form of atavism.
Quánshēn cháng máo bèi rènwéi shì fǎnzǔ.
Hair growing all over the body is considered atavism.

Tips

memory
Literally 'return to ancestor'. (fǎn, return) + (zǔ, ancestor) = the offspring 'returns' biologically to a long-lost ancestral form. Almost always seen as 返祖现象 (fǎnzǔ xiànxiàng, atavistic phenomenon).

Stroke Order

fǎn