源远流长 (yuán yuǎn-liú cháng) — (idiom) having a long history and enduring continuity; going back to ancient times
Definition
A chengyu describing something — a tradition, friendship, civilization — that stretches back to ancient times and continues today. Stronger and more literary than 老, which just means 'old' in everyday use.
idiom
having a long history and enduring continuitygoing back to ancient times
Examples
- 源远流长，。Zhè tiáo hé liú de wén míng yuán yuǎn-liú cháng, kě zhuī sù dào xīn shí qì shí dài.The civilization of this river has a long history, dating back to the Neolithic Age.
- 源远流长，。Liǎng suǒ dà xué zhī jiān de xué shù jiāo liú yuán yuǎn-liú cháng, hé zuò le shàng bǎi nián.The academic exchange between the two universities has deep roots and has lasted over a hundred years.
- 源远流长，。Wǒ men de yǒu yì yuán yuǎn-liú cháng, bú shì sān yán liǎng yǔ néng shuō qīng de.Our friendship has a long history — it can't be explained in just a few words.
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