先祖

xiānzǔ

noun #29,258

Meanings

1 ancestors; forefathers
2 (literary) my late grandfather

Characters

before; prior; deceased (respectful)

grandfather; ancestor

Examples

我们应该尊重先祖留下来的传统。

Wǒmen yīnggāi zūnzhòng xiānzǔ liú xià lái de chuántǒng.

We should respect the traditions left by our ancestors.

这座庙是为了祭祀先祖而建的。

Zhè zuò miào shì wèile jìsì xiānzǔ ér jiàn de.

This temple was built to honor the ancestors.

Tips

register

先祖 is a formal or literary term for ancestors. In everyday speech, 祖先 (zǔxiān) is more common. The character 先 (xiān) here carries the meaning of 'those who came before,' often implying deceased forebears.

Stroke Order

先 xiān

祖 zǔ