earliest ancestor; founder
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesnoun
earliest ancestor with verifiable lineage
Refers to the first forebear in a genealogical line who can be historically documented.
Huáng黄
Dì帝
bèi被
zūn尊
wéi为
Zhōng中
huá华
mín民
zú族
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
The Yellow Emperor is revered as the earliest ancestor of the Chinese nation.
Zhè这
zuò座
cí祠
táng堂
gòng供
fèng奉
zhe着
wǒ我
men们
jiā家
zú族
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
This ancestral hall enshrines the founding ancestor of our clan.
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Kǎo考
gǔ古
xué学
jiā家
fā发
xiàn现
le了
zhè这
ge个
wáng王
cháo朝
shǐ始
zǔ祖
de的
líng陵
mù墓
。
Archaeologists discovered the tomb of the dynasty's founding ancestor.
noun
founder of a school of thought or industry
Used metaphorically to refer to the originator or founding figure of a tradition, academic field, or commercial industry.
Kǒng孔
zǐ子
bèi被
rèn认
wéi为
shì是
Rú儒
jiā家
xué学
pài派
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
Confucius is considered the founder of the Confucian school.
Zhè这
wèi位
kē科
xué学
jiā家
bèi被
zūn尊
wéi为
xiàn现
dài代
yí遗
chuán传
xué学
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
This scientist is revered as the founder of modern genetics.
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Zhè这
xiàng项
jì技
shù术
de的
fā发
míng明
zhě者
kān堪
chēng称
gāi该
háng行
yè业
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
The inventor of this technology can be called the founder of this industry.
Zài在
yì艺
shù术
shǐ史
shàng上
，
tā他
bèi被
shì视
wéi为
chōu抽
xiàng象
pài派
de的
shǐ始
zǔ祖
。
In art history, he is regarded as the founder of the abstract movement.