Definition
祖业 refers to property, a business, or a legacy passed down from one's ancestors. It carries a strong sense of family heritage and responsibility — losing or selling the 祖业 is often seen as a failure of filial duty. The word is formal and literary, most common in historical or legal contexts, and in modern usage it can also refer to the meritorious achievements of one's forebears.
p.w.
ancestral property or businessancestors' meritorious achievements
Examples
- 祖业，。Tā jìchéng le jiā lǐ de zǔ yè, què hěn kuài bài guāng le.He inherited the family ancestral property, but quickly squandered it all.
- 祖业。Zhè fèn zǔ yè shì zǔ bèi jǐ dài rén xīnkǔ jīlěi xiàlai de.This ancestral legacy was built up through generations of hard work.
- 祖业，。Tāmen wèile bǎohù zǔ yè, bùxī dǎ guānsi.They didn't hesitate to go to court to protect the ancestral property.
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