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.
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.
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.