祖先

• 拼音: zǔ xiān
• 汉字拆解: 祖 = 礻+ 且 (altar + moreover — ancestral); 先 = 牛 + 儿 (ox + person — to go before)

含义

Ancestors; forebears. The people from whom one is descended, especially those from earlier generations.

A formal and broadly applicable term for ancestors in both biological and cultural senses. Used in history, anthropology, religion, and everyday discussion of family heritage. Can refer to remote prehistoric ancestors (人类的祖先) as well as recent family forebears.

例句

1. 中华民族的祖先在黄河流域创造了灿烂的古代文明，为后世留下了丰厚的文化遗产。
2. 通过基因检测，他发现自己的祖先来自多个不同的地理区域，这颠覆了他对家族史的既有认知。
3. 祭祀祖先是中国传统文化中极为重要的习俗，体现了后人对先辈的感恩与敬仰之情。

用法指南

语境: history, culture, anthropology, religion

语气: respectful

正确说法

• 考古研究表明，这片土地上的人类祖先早在一万年前便已开始从事农业生产活动。(Archaeological research shows that the human ancestors of this land had already begun engaging in agricultural activities as early as ten thousand years ago.)
• 他每年清明都会专程返乡，在祖先的墓前敬献鲜花，寄托哀思。(Every year during the Qingming Festival he makes a special trip home to lay flowers before his ancestors' graves as an expression of mourning and remembrance.)

错误说法

• 我的祖先是我的父母 — 祖先 implies remote generational distance; for parents use 父母; for grandparents use 祖父母 or 外祖父母; 祖先 typically refers to ancestors several generations back

起源与历史

祖 (ancestor/grandparent) + 先 (before/preceding)

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal