Definitions

zōng (noun) ancestor; clan
zōng (noun) school; sect
zōng (verb) to take as one's model

Etymology

Depicts a spiritual () edifice (), like an ancestral shrine.

About

The character "宗" is structured from the component "宀", indicating a roof or building, positioned above "示", which signifies an altar or spiritual display, originally denoting an ancestral temple used for ritual ceremonies. This concrete referent naturally extended to mean the clan or lineage connected to that temple, reflecting social organization based on common descent. Over centuries, its application broadened to represent a school of thought or religious sect, and it further developed abstract meanings such as "principal" or "core" in various linguistic compounds.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

教自由受到法律保护。

Zōngjiào zìyóu shòudào fǎlǜ bǎohù.

Religious freedom is protected by law.

这个家族的祠历史很悠久。

Zhège jiāzú de zōngcí lìshǐ hěn yōujiǔ.

The ancestral temple of this family has a very long history.

我们学校的办学旨是立德树人。

Wǒmen xuéxiào de bànxué zōngzhǐ shì lìdé shùrén.

The educational philosophy of our school is to cultivate virtue and nurture talent.

他是这个庞大族的现任族长。

Tā shì zhège pángdà zōngzú de xiànrèn zúzhǎng.

He is the current clan leader of this large clan.

土地交易已经完成了。

Zhè zōng tǔdì jiāoyì yǐjīng wánchéngle.

This land transaction has been completed.

这家餐馆的牛肉面非常正

Zhè jiā cānguǎn de niúròumiàn fēicháng zhèngzōng.

The beef noodles at this restaurant are very authentic.

团结协作是我们成功的唯一要。

Tuánjié xiézuò shì wǒmen chénggōng de wéiyī zōng yào.

Unity and cooperation are the essential key to our success.

他的艺术创作始终于内心的真实表达。

Tā de yìshù chuàngzuò shǐzhōng zōng yú nèixīn de zhēnshí biǎodá.

His artistic creation always adheres to the genuine expression of his inner self.