zung1 zuk6宗族
Jyutpingzung1 zuk6
Yalejūng juhk
Definition
Clan; a group of people sharing the same surname and ancestor, often living in the same area.
neutralpeoplefamily
How it's used
Refers specifically to groups sharing a common patrilineal ancestor and often a shared surname. It is heavily associated with the traditional village culture of the New Territories in Hong Kong. While it implies a sense of historical continuity, it is rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing genealogy, local history, or ancestral customs.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Their clan has lived here for a very long time.
Do you know which clan is the most famous?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 家族, which refers more generally to a family or household unit. 宗族 carries a stronger emphasis on lineage, ancestral rites, and communal identity within a village structure.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
