永

yǒng

Definitions

yǒng (adjective) forever; eternal; perpetual

Etymology

Pictograph of a long river with a tributary.

About

永 (yǒng) began as a pictograph of a long river with a tributary, its waters stretching far into the distance in an unbroken flow. This image of endless motion was taken to symbolize time that continues without pause, transforming the character from a literal depiction of a river into the abstract notion of eternity. In modern usage, 永 functions almost exclusively as an adverb or adjective, describing things that last forever or remain perpetually unchanged.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们永远是朋友。

Wǒmen yǒngyuǎn shì péngyou.

We are friends forever.

这个协议是永久的。

Zhège xiéyì shì yǒngjiǔ de.

This agreement is permanent.

爱情是永恒的主题。

Àiqíng shì yǒnghéng de zhǔtí.

Love is an eternal theme.

他永远记得那个日子。

Tā yǒngyuǎn jìde nàgè rìzi.

He will always remember that day.

如果你永远不放弃，你就会成功。

Rúguǒ nǐ yǒngyuǎn bù fàngqì, nǐ jiù huì chénggōng.

If you never give up, you will succeed.

这座纪念碑将永存于人们心中。

Zhè zuò jìniànbēi jiāng yǒngcún yú rénmen xīnzhōng.

This monument will forever exist in people's hearts.

只要世界存在，和平就是永恒的追求。

Zhǐyào shìjiè cúnzài, hépíng jiùshì yǒnghéng de zhuīqiú.

As long as the world exists, peace is an eternal pursuit.

尽管时间流逝，但那些美好的回忆将永驻我心。

Jǐnguǎn shíjiān liúshì, dàn nàxiē měihǎo de huíyì jiāng yǒngzhù wǒ xīn.

Although time passes, those beautiful memories will forever reside in my heart.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 永

Example Words