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liánhéSide by side

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

长chánglong
久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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5Frequency & Duration

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