====== chángjiǔ: 长久 - Long-lasting, For a long time, Permanent ======
===== Quick Summary =====
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  * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **长久 (chángjiǔ)**, a fundamental Chinese word used to describe things that are long-lasting, durable, and permanent. This guide explores how **长久** is used to talk about enduring relationships, lasting peace, and sturdy objects. Learn its cultural significance, see practical examples, and understand the key difference between **长久 (chángjiǔ)** and 永远 (yǒngyuǎn) to use it like a native speaker.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** chángjiǔ
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective, Adverb
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** Lasting for a very long time; enduring or permanent.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **长久 (chángjiǔ)** describes a state, relationship, or object that has the quality of lasting for a significant duration. It's not just about a long period, but also implies stability and durability. Think of a well-built bridge, a deep friendship, or a lasting peace treaty—these are all **长久**. It's more grounded and realistic than the absolute, infinite concept of "forever."
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **长 (cháng):** This character originally depicted a person with long hair, and its primary meaning is "long" or "length." It can refer to physical length as well as a long duration.
  * **久 (jiǔ):** This character is specifically about a long duration of *time*. It's composed of a person (人) under an element that some etymologists suggest represents a form of moxibustion, a slow-burning treatment, implying a long process.
  * When combined, **长久 (chángjiǔ)** literally means "long + long time." The two characters reinforce each other to create a strong sense of enduring, stable, and substantial length of time.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * In Chinese culture, **长久** is more than just a descriptor of time; it's a deeply held value. The pursuit of **长久** reflects a cultural desire for stability, harmony, and permanence in all major aspects of life.
    *   **Relationships:** A marriage is not just a union but is hoped to be **长久**, a stable partnership that endures challenges. The ultimate expression of this is the idiom [[天长地久]] (tiān cháng dì jiǔ), "as long as the heavens and the earth."
    *   **Society:** Historically, the ultimate goal for any dynasty or government was **长久**的和平 (chángjiǔ de hépíng) - "long-lasting peace" and stability.
    *   **Philosophy:** This contrasts with some Western cultural narratives that often emphasize dynamism, disruption, and "the next new thing." While a Western business might focus on a "long-term strategy," a Chinese partner might be more interested in building a **长久** relationship, which implies a deeper, more stable, and less transactional connection. The goal isn't just a profitable quarter, but a partnership that can last for generations. This value is rooted in Confucian ideals of social harmony and building enduring structures.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **长久** is a common and versatile word used in both formal and informal contexts.
  * **Describing Relationships (Adjective):** It is frequently used to describe the desired quality of friendships, romantic relationships, and partnerships.
    *   e.g., "我们有**长久**的友谊。" (We have a long-lasting friendship.)
  * **Describing States or Conditions (Adjective):** It can describe abstract concepts like peace, stability, or solutions.
    *   e.g., "这是一个**长久**的解决方案。" (This is a long-term/lasting solution.)
  * **As an Adverb (长久地):** When used with the particle 地 (de), it means "for a long time" and describes how an action is performed.
    *   e.g., "他**长久**地凝视着远方。" (He gazed into the distance for a long time.)
  * **In Negative Sentences:** It can be used to say something is not durable or won't last.
    *   e.g., "这种廉价的材料不**长久**。" (This kind of cheap material is not durable.)
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 我希望我们的友谊可以**长久**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ xīwàng wǒmen de yǒuyì kěyǐ **chángjiǔ**.
    * English: I hope our friendship can be long-lasting.
    * Analysis: A very common and sincere expression. **长久** is used here as a stative adjective to describe the desired state of the friendship.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 怎样才能实现世界**长久**的和平？
    * Pinyin: Zěnyàng cáinéng shíxiàn shìjiè **chángjiǔ** de hépíng?
    * English: How can we achieve long-lasting world peace?
    * Analysis: Here, **长久** acts as an adjective modifying 和平 (peace). It highlights the goal of achieving a stable, enduring peace, not just a temporary ceasefire.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这不是一个**长久**之计。
    * Pinyin: Zhè bùshì yīgè **chángjiǔ** zhī jì.
    * English: This is not a long-term solution.
    * Analysis: **长久之计 (chángjiǔ zhī jì)** is a set phrase meaning "a long-term plan/solution." This sentence is often used to criticize a short-sighted approach to a problem.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 这种材料不**长久**，很快就坏了。
    * Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng cáiliào bù **chángjiǔ**, hěn kuài jiù huàile.
    * English: This kind of material is not durable; it broke very quickly.
    * Analysis: This example shows **长久** used to describe the physical durability of an object. The opposite of "durable" or "built to last."
  * **Example 5:**
    * 他**长久**地沉默着，一句话也不说。
    * Pinyin: Tā **chángjiǔ** de chénmòzhe, yī jù huà yě bù shuō.
    * English: He remained silent for a long time, not saying a single word.
    * Analysis: Here, **长久** is used as an adverb with 地 (de) to describe the duration of the action (remaining silent). It emphasizes the unbroken length of the silence.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 一段**长久**的关系需要双方的努力。
    * Pinyin: Yīduàn **chángjiǔ** de guānxì xūyào shuāngfāng de nǔlì.
    * English: A long-lasting relationship requires effort from both sides.
    * Analysis: A classic example of **长久** modifying 关系 (relationship). This is a very common and natural-sounding sentence in Chinese.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 很多夫妻都希望能天**长**地**久**。
    * Pinyin: Hěnduō fūqī dōu xīwàng néng tiān **cháng** dì **jiǔ**.
    * English: Many married couples hope to be together forever (as long as the heavens and earth).
    * Analysis: This uses the famous idiom **天长地久**, which is the ultimate, poetic expression of a **长久** love. Note how the characters are split in the idiom.
  * **Example 8:**
    * **长久**以来，这个问题一直困扰着我们。
    * Pinyin: **Chángjiǔ** yǐlái, zhège wèntí yīzhí kùnrǎozhe wǒmen.
    * English: For a long time now, this problem has been troubling us.
    * Analysis: The phrase **长久以来 (chángjiǔ yǐlái)** means "for a long time" or "for a long while," and it's used to set the time frame at the beginning of a sentence.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 分居**长久**了，感情自然会变淡。
    * Pinyin: Fēnjū **chángjiǔ** le, gǎnqíng zìrán huì biàn dàn.
    * English: After being separated for a long time, feelings will naturally fade.
    * Analysis: In this sentence, **长久** functions adverbially without 地, describing the duration of the state of being separated (分居).
  * **Example 10:**
    * 为了公司的**长久**发展，我们必须改革。
    * Pinyin: Wèile gōngsī de **chángjiǔ** fāzhǎn, wǒmen bìxū gǎigé.
    * English: For the company's long-term development, we must reform.
    * Analysis: A common business context. **长久发展 (chángjiǔ fāzhǎn)** refers to sustainable, long-term growth, not just short-term profit.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **长久 (chángjiǔ) vs. 永远 (yǒngyuǎn):** This is the most critical distinction for learners.
    *   **长久 (chángjiǔ)** implies a *very long, but potentially finite* period. It emphasizes durability and stability. You can use it for objects.
    *   **永远 (yǒngyuǎn)** means "forever," "always." It's absolute, infinite, and often more emotional or abstract. You cannot use it for the durability of an object.
    *   **Correct:** 这个电池很**长久**。(This battery is very long-lasting.)
    *   **Incorrect:** 这个电池很**永远**。 (This sounds completely unnatural, like "this battery is very forever.")
    *   **Emotional Difference:**
        *   我会**长久**地爱你。(Wǒ huì chángjiǔ de ài nǐ.) - "I will love you for a long time." (Sounds a bit measured, practical, almost like a promise of stability.)
        *   我会**永远**爱你。(Wǒ huì yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ.) - "I will love you forever." (This is the standard, passionate, romantic declaration.)
  * **长久 (chángjiǔ) vs. 久 (jiǔ):**
    *   **久 (jiǔ)** is often used after a verb to indicate an action took a long time (e.g., 我等了很**久** - I waited a long time).
    *   **长久 (chángjiǔ)** is typically used as a descriptive adjective *before* a noun (e.g., **长久**的友谊 - a long-lasting friendship) or to describe the nature of a state. You wouldn't say "我等了很长久."
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[永远]] (yǒngyuǎn) - Forever, always. An absolute, often emotional term for infinite time. The key point of contrast with **长久**.
  * [[永久]] (yǒngjiǔ) - Permanent, perpetual. More formal and absolute than **长久**, often used in legal or official contexts (e.g., 永久居民 - permanent resident).
  * [[长期]] (chángqī) - Long-term. A neutral, often technical term used in planning, economics, and contracts (e.g., 长期目标 - long-term goal). It lacks the emotional and stability-focused connotation of **长久**.
  * [[持久]] (chíjiǔ) - Lasting, enduring. Similar to **长久**, but often emphasizes stamina, persistence, or the ability to resist fading over time (e.g., 持久力 - stamina/endurance).
  * [[天长地久]] (tiān cháng dì jiǔ) - An idiom meaning "as long as the heavens and earth endure." The most romantic and poetic expression of **长久**.
  * [[短暂]] (duǎnzàn) - Brief, of short duration. A direct antonym.
  * [[暂时]] (zànshí) - Temporary, for the time being. Another direct antonym, emphasizing a provisional state.