祖先 (zǔ xiān) — ancestors, forebears (one's forefathers); (biology) ancestral species; ancient species from which a present-day species evolved
Definition
General term for ancestors, used for family lineage or for biological species from which others evolved. 祖宗 is a close near-synonym, but often carries a more reverent, traditional tone.
noun
ancestorsforebears (one's forefathers)(biology) ancestral speciesancient species from which a present-day species evolved
Examples
- ，祖先。Qīng míng jié hěn duō rén qù sǎo mù, jì niàn tā men de zǔ xiān.During Qingming Festival many people go to sweep tombs to honor their ancestors.
- 祖先。Kē xué jiā rèn wéi niǎo lèi shì yóu kǒng lóng de zǔ xiān yǎn huà ér lái de.Scientists believe birds evolved from the ancestors of dinosaurs.
- 祖先。Wǒ men jiā zú bǎo cún le yì běn jì lù zǔ xiān de shū.Our family keeps a book that records our ancestors.
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