祖宗 zǔzong ancestor
ancestor; forebear
How to remember 祖宗: 祖 ancestor + 宗 ancestry = ancestor.
Characters
How it is used
- Ancestors / forebears (collective) - 别丢祖宗的脸 (bié diū zǔzong de liǎn) don't disgrace your ancestors.
- Colloquial and emotive, often invoked about lineage, honor, or blame. More everyday than the formal 祖先 (zǔxiān). Note 宗 is unstressed.