This is the 4276th most frequent Japanese word.
先祖
Ancestor.
The word '先祖' refers to ancestors in a broader sense, encompassing all preceding generations that are part of one's lineage and history.
私たちの先祖はこの地域に住んでいました。
Our ancestors lived in this region.
Here, '先祖' emphasizes traditions and practices handed down through multiple generations of a family or community.
彼は先祖代々伝わる技術を受け継いでいる。
He carries on the skills passed down from ancestors generation after generation.
In this context, '先祖' is used to contextualize respect and actions related to one's predecessors.