The Chinese word 永别 (yǒngbié), meaning "to part forever" or "farewell (in a final sense, as in death)", is a compound formed by combining two distinct characters: 永 (yǒng), which means "eternal", "forever", or "permanent", and 别 (bié), which means "to part", "to separate", or "to leave". Together, they create a meaning that is more specific and profound than the sum of its parts, the character 永 intensifies 别 to denote not just a temporary separation but an absolute and everlasting one, most commonly used to describe a final parting, such as at a funeral or when someone departs with no expectation of meeting again.