后裔

• Pinyin: hòu yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 — after; behind; 裔 = 衣 (clothing radical) + 㡀 (phonetic component) — traditionally signifying those on the outer edge, hence descendants

Meaning

Descendant; offspring; posterity. A person descended from a particular ancestor or ethnic/cultural group.

A formal, literary term used to refer to descendants — often of historical figures, royal lineages, or ethnic groups. Common in historical writing, genealogy, and discussions of cultural heritage. Contrasts with 祖先 (ancestors).

Examples

1. 这个家族自称是某位宋朝名将的后裔，并将家谱保存至今。 This family claims to be descendants of a famous Song dynasty general and has preserved its genealogy to this day.
2. 世界各地的炎黄后裔每年都会举行祭祖仪式，以纪念共同的文化根源。 Descendants of Yan and Huang around the world hold ancestor-veneration ceremonies every year to commemorate their shared cultural roots.
3. 考古学家通过DNA检测，确认了这批遗骸属于古代部落首领的直系后裔。 Through DNA testing, archaeologists confirmed that these remains belonged to the direct descendants of an ancient tribal chief.

Usage Guide

Context: history, genealogy, ethnicity, cultural heritage

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 作为孔子的后裔，他自幼便接受了严格的儒家礼仪教育，深刻体会到传承文化传统的责任与使命。(As a descendant of Confucius, he received a rigorous education in Confucian etiquette from an early age and has a deep sense of responsibility for preserving cultural traditions.)
• 海外华人社区中，许多人视自己为中华文明的后裔，积极参与各类文化活动以维系与祖国的情感纽带。(In overseas Chinese communities, many people see themselves as descendants of Chinese civilisation and actively participate in cultural activities to maintain their emotional connection with their homeland.)

Don't Say

• 后裔 in casual contexts for one's own children or grandchildren — use 子女 or 子孙 instead; 后裔 implies a more distant, formal, or historically significant lineage

Origin & History

后 (after; following) + 裔 (descendants; border; fringe) — those who come after in lineage

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated