What is the suitable japanese word for "forefathers" or "ancestors" that can be used in an essay?


What is the suitable Japanese word for "ancestors" or "forefathers". I have
tried many dictionaries but there are many words Japanese words for these two
words. I've heard that there are some words in Japanese language that we can't
use them in our day to day activities (that means use in essays, spoken etc).
Therefore I am confused what to choose from those words.

The answers are highly appreciated.




To mean forefathers and ancestors, we usually use "祖先" called そせん or "先祖"
called せんぞ, both of which mean people who lived former ages before the present
and have lineages. They are used like "私の祖先は、大名だった。", for example.




To mean forefathers and ancestors, we usually use "祖先" called そせん or "先祖"
called せんぞ, both of which mean people who lived former ages before the present
and have lineages. They are used like "私の祖先は、大名だった。", for example.

