ancestor

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 祖 has 9 strokes and concerns ancestors or family members of earlier generations.
• Basic usage: 祖父 is read そふ, and 祖母 is read そぼ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Grandfather and grandmother
  • 祖父から木工を教わった means learned woodworking from one's grandfather.
  • 祖母の家 means one's grandmother's home.