Japanese word

久しい

Pronunciation

Romajihisashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivelong

Example

彼とは久しく会っていません。kare to wa hisa shi ku a tte i ma se n

I have not seen him for a long time.

Illustration for 久しい (long)

More examples

久しい間、友人から便りがありませんでした。hisa shi i aida yū jin ka ra tayo ri ga a ri ma se n de shi ta

I did not hear from my friend for a long time.

Core concept

Presents time as far removed from now, or as having continued for a notably long period.

Common phrases

  • 久しい間hisa shi i aida

    for a long time

  • 久しい昔hisa shi i mukashi

    a long time ago

Similar words

長いnagai: Describes a period that continues for a long time.
遠いtōi: Describes a time that is far from the present.

Definition in Japanese

ある時点から長い年月が過ぎているさま。a ru ji ten ka ra naga i toshi tsuki ga su gi te i ru sa ma

Word origin

As a native Japanese adjective, 久しい (hisashii) comes from older 久し (hisashi), meaning "long in time", with い (i) as the modern adjective ending.

Usage tips

  • Unlike 長い (nagai), which can describe physical length, 久しい (hisashii) usually describes time as distant from the present.

Other meanings

  • oldi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word