zai3 zou2祭祖
Jyutpingzai3 zou2
Yalejai jóu
Definition
To worship one's ancestors, showing respect and remembrance while praying for their protection.
neutralfamilyfestival
How it's used
Refers specifically to the formal act of visiting graves or ancestral halls to offer food, incense, or paper offerings. While it carries a sense of solemnity, it is a standard cultural practice rather than a strictly religious one. It is most commonly associated with the Ching Ming Festival or Chung Yeung Festival.
Examples
During the Ching Ming Festival, our whole family goes to pay respects to our ancestors.
Did you go back to pay respects to your ancestors this year?
Related words
Common phrases
paying respects to ancestors during the Ching Ming Festival
Common mistake
Avoid using this term for casual visits to a cemetery or for general prayers. It implies a specific ritualistic act of remembrance and respect for ancestors, not just any act of worship or visiting a grave.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
