zung1宗
Jyutpingzung1
Yalejūng
Definition
Ancestor or forefather; also referring to a clan or sect.
- ancestor; forefather
- clan; sect; school
writtenfamilypeople
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in Cantonese rather than a standalone noun. It appears most frequently in formal compound words related to lineage, clans, or ancestral worship. You will rarely hear it used in casual conversation outside of specific cultural or historical contexts.
Examples
They are relatives from the same clan.
These are the ancestors of their family.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 蹤, which refers to traces or tracks. Learners often mistake the two in writing because they share a similar phonetic component.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
