Definition
长夜 is a literary noun with two linked meanings: literally a 'long night', and metaphorically a long period of hardship, darkness, or waiting. When used to mean 'grave' or 'death', it's a euphemism (长夜 implies eternal sleep). This is a high-level word you'll encounter in poetry, historical writing, and formal prose rather than daily conversation.
n.
long night (literal)prolonged period of darkness or suffering (metaphorical)
Examples
- ，长夜。Zǒu le yì tiān de lù, tā juéde cháng hǎoxiàng méiyǒu jìntóu.After walking all day, he felt the long night seemed endless.
- ，长夜。Nà chǎng zhànzhēng jiéshù hòu, rénmen zhōngyú zǒu chū le cháng.After that war ended, people finally emerged from the long night.
- 长夜。Shīrén yòng cháng bǐyù rénshēng zhōng de kùnjìng.The poet uses 'long night' as a metaphor for hardship in life.
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