万古 (wàn gǔ) — for all eternity; forever

Definition

Literary 'forever' used in formal writing, poetry, or commemorative language (e.g. monuments, heroic deeds). Far more elevated than everyday 永远.

adverb
for all eternityforever

Examples

  • 万古。
    Tā de yīng míng jiàng wàn gǔ liú chuán.
    His heroic name will be passed down for all eternity.
  • 万古。
    Zhè zuò jì niàn bēi xiàng zhēng zhe wàn gǔ bú biàn de yǒu yì.
    This monument symbolizes an unchanging friendship for all eternity.
  • 万古。
    Tā men de ài qíng gù shi wàn gǔ cháng cún.
    Their love story will last forever.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

万wànten thousand
古gǔancient time

万 gives ten thousand and 古 gives ancient time, together meaning forever.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 萬; 万 is its simplified writing.

For 万, the form 萬 was originally a picture of a scorpion, later borrowed for its sound to write 'ten thousand'; the scorpion picture is unrelated to that number.

Open 万 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

One reading of 古 sees a shield-like shape above an open mark, showing strength and firmness. Another sees a person spitting out bad-tasting food.

Open 古 →

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