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始祖

shǐzǔ
noun #36,144

Meanings

  1. 1 primogenitor
  2. 2 first ancestor
  3. 3 founder of a school or trade
  4. 4 originator

Examples

HSK 7-9
黄帝被尊为中华民族的始祖。
Huángdì bèi zūn wéi Zhōnghuá mínzú de shǐzǔ.
The Yellow Emperor is venerated as the primogenitor of the Chinese people.
HSK 7-9
孔子是儒家的始祖。
Kǒngzǐ shì Rújiā de shǐzǔ.
Confucius is the founder of the Confucian school.

Tips

usage
始祖 = first ancestor, used both literally (clan founder) and figuratively (founder of an art form, school, or industry). Compare 鼻祖 (also 'founder', slightly more colloquial) and 祖师 (founder of a craft or sect).

In Pop Culture

始祖鸟 shǐzǔ niǎo
Archaeopteryx / Arc'teryx (brand)
Both the prehistoric bird (transitional fossil between dinosaurs and birds) and the Canadian outdoor-gear brand whose logo is its skeleton.

Stroke Order

始 shǐ
祖 zǔ