长久 (cháng jiǔ) — long-lasting, enduring, (for a) long time

Definition

Adjective for things meant to last a long time (friendship, peace, relationship). Pairs with 以来 as a time phrase; not for measuring how long an action took, where 久 is used.

adjective
long-lastingenduring(for a) long time

Examples

  • 长久
    Tā men jiàn lì le cháng jiǔ de yǒu yì.
    They established a lasting friendship.
  • 长久
    Tā cháng jiǔ dì kàn zhe fēng jǐng.
    He looked at the scenery for a long time.
  • 长久
    cháng jiǔ Yǐ lái, tā men yì zhí hù xiāng bāng zhù.
    For a long time, they have been helping each other.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

jiǔlong time

Combines 长 and 久, both expressing duration, to mean lasting a long time.

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 長; 长 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 長 pictures an old man with long hair. The simplified 长 is a later shorthand, so its strokes do not show that original picture.

Open 长 →

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

久 likely came from a simple drawing of an arrow tip.

Open 久 →

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