hoi1 saan1 zou2 si1開山祖師开山祖师
Jyutpinghoi1 saan1 zou2 si1
Yalehōi sāan jóu sī
Definition
The founder or founding figure of an industry, school of thought, or other organization.
neutralpeoplework
How it's used
Originally referring to the first monk to establish a temple on a mountain, this term has evolved to describe the pioneer of any professional field or artistic school. It carries a strong sense of reverence and historical weight, often implying that the person set the standards for everyone who followed. Use it when you want to highlight someone as the definitive originator rather than just a regular founder.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is the founding figure of this industry and holds a very high status.
Who is the founding master of your style of martial arts?
Related words
Common phrases
a legendary founding figure
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe the founder of a simple business or a startup company, as it sounds overly dramatic and grand. It is reserved for people who established a lasting tradition, a unique style, or a significant movement.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
