Inklingo
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A large, ancient oak tree with deep, visible roots and many branches, representing a family lineage.

ancestros

an-SESS-trohs

nounmB1
ancestors?General family lineage
Also:forebears?Formal or literary context,forefathers?Historical context

📝 In Action

Mis ancestros llegaron a este país hace cien años.

A2

My ancestors arrived in this country a hundred years ago.

Es importante conocer la cultura de nuestros ancestros.

B1

It is important to know the culture of our ancestors.

Ella siente una conexión profunda con sus ancestros.

B1

She feels a deep connection with her ancestors.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • antepasados (ancestors/forefathers)
  • ascendientes (ascendants)

Antonyms

  • descendientes (descendants)
  • sucesores (successors)

Common Collocations

  • tierra de mis ancestros – land of my ancestors
  • honrar a los ancestros – to honor one's ancestors
  • linaje de ancestros – lineage of ancestors

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine

Even if you are talking about female relatives in your past, the word 'ancestros' is always masculine. You use 'los' and 'nuestros' with it.

Usually Plural

While 'ancestro' exists, we almost always use this word in the plural because we are usually talking about a whole group of people from the past.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Ancestros vs. Antiguos

Mistake: "Using 'antiguos' to mean ancestors."

Correction: Use 'ancestros' for family lineage. 'Antiguos' usually refers to 'ancient people' in a general historical sense (like the Ancient Greeks), not your specific family tree.

⭐ Usage Tips

Choosing between Ancestros and Antepasados

Both are very common! 'Antepasados' is slightly more frequent in everyday conversation, while 'ancestros' can sound a bit more elegant or scientific.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: ancestros

Question 1 of 2

If you are talking about your great-great-grandmother, is she one of your 'ancestros'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ancestral(ancestral) - adjective
ancestro(ancestor (singular)) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'ancestros' more formal than 'abuelos'?

Yes. 'Abuelos' specifically means grandparents. 'Ancestros' refers to everyone in your family line who lived before you, including people from hundreds of years ago.

Can I use 'ancestra' for a female ancestor?

No. In Spanish, the word 'ancestro' is always masculine, even when referring to a woman. You would say 'Ella es uno de mis ancestros'.