lit6 zou2 lit6 zung1列祖列宗
Jyutpinglit6 zou2 lit6 zung1
Yaleliht jóu liht jūng
Definition
One's ancestors.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This phrase carries a heavy, solemn tone, often invoked in moments of extreme disappointment or moral failure. It is almost exclusively used in contexts involving family shame or the betrayal of ancestral values. Because of its weight, it is rarely used in casual conversation unless someone is being scolded for a serious transgression.
Examples
What he did really lets down his ancestors.
Related words
Common phrases
to let down one's ancestors
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a generic term for ancestors, but it is specifically used to evoke a sense of duty or shame. Do not use it when simply referring to your family tree or historical relatives in a neutral, academic, or genealogical context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
