Definitions

jiǔ (adjective) long time; lasting

Etymology

Depicts an arrow nock. The nock is the part of an arrow that is held against the bowstring before being launched. Same origin as . The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

The character '久' originates from an early pictographic depiction of a figure in a bent or reclining posture, conceptually associated with endurance and sustained states, which informed its fundamental meaning of duration. Over centuries, its form underwent a gradual streamlining from a more representational image to the abstracted, strokes of the contemporary character, yet its semantic core has persistently revolved around temporal length, encompassing ideas of permanence, long-standing conditions, and extended periods without significant alteration.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他等了很

Tā děngle hěn jiǔ.

He waited for a long time.

我们不就要搬家。

Wǒmen bùjiǔ jiù yào bānjiā.

We will move house soon.

这场会议开了很

Zhè chǎng huìyì kāile hěn jiǔ.

This meeting lasted for a long time.

坐不利于血液循环。

Jiǔ zuò bù lìyú xuèyè xúnhuán.

Sitting for a long time is not conducive to blood circulation.

他们的合作持而稳定。

Tāmen de hézuò chíjiǔ ér wěndìng.

Their cooperation is lasting and stable.

这个问题困扰了我很

Zhège wèntí kùnrǎole wǒ hěn jiǔ.

This problem has troubled me for a long time.

别之后,她变化很大。

Jiǔ bié zhīhòu, tā biànhuà hěn dà.

After a long separation, she has changed a lot.

这种油漆具有优异的耐性。

Zhè zhǒng yóuqī jùyǒu yōuyì de nàijiǔ xìng.

This paint has excellent durability.