Definition
祖先 (zǔ xiān) is the general term for ancestors, covering both human forefathers and biological ancestral species. 祖宗 (zǔ zong) is more colloquial and usually refers specifically to one's family lineage, often with a tone of respect. For the scientific sense, only 祖先 is used.
noun
ancestorsforebears (one's forefathers)(biology) ancestral speciesancient species from which a present-day species evolved
Examples
- ，祖先。Qīngmíng jié hěn duō rén qù sǎo mù, jìniàn tāmen de zǔ xiān.During Qingming Festival many people go to sweep tombs to honor their ancestors.
- 祖先。Kēxuéjiā rènwéi niǎolèi shì yóu kǒnglóng de zǔ xiān yǎnhuà ér lái de.Scientists believe birds evolved from the ancestors of dinosaurs.
- 祖先。Wǒmen jiāzú bǎocún le yì běn jìlù zǔ xiān de shū.Our family keeps a book that records our ancestors.
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