Chinese word

悠久

Pronunciation

Pinyinyōu jiǔ

Meaning

  • adjectivelong-standing

Example

这座古城有悠久的历史。zhè zuò gǔ chéng yǒu yōu jiǔ de lì shǐ

This ancient city has a long history.

Illustration for 悠久 (long-standing)

More examples

这座山脉记录了悠久的地质变迁。zhè zuò shān mài jì lù le yōu jiǔ de dì zhì biàn qiān

This mountain range records geological changes that span a long period.

Core concept

A thread of time stretches from the distant past into the present without breaking.

Common phrases

  • 悠久的历史yōu jiǔ de lì shǐ

    long history

  • 悠久的文化遗产yōu jiǔ de wén huà yí chǎn

    long-standing cultural heritage

  • 悠久的传统yōu jiǔ de chuán tǒng

    long-standing tradition

Similar words

漫长màn cháng: Lasting a long time before ending, with the duration seeming unusually long.
长久cháng jiǔ: Continuing for a long time in a steady state that does not easily change.
长远cháng yuǎn: Reaching far into the future and producing effects that last a long time.

Definition in Chinese

时间延续很长，强调某事物从过去到现在持续存在，常用于描述历史、传统或关系的长久性。shí jiān yán xù hěn cháng qiáng diào mǒu shì wù cóng guò qù dào xiàn zài chí xù cún zài cháng yòng yú miáo shù lì shǐ chuán tǒng huò guān xì de cháng jiǔ xìng

Word origin

悠 (yōu, "distant and unhurried") + 久 (jiǔ, "long-lasting") forms a compound for something that continues over a great span of time.

Usage tips

  • 悠久 (yōujiǔ, "long-standing") is chiefly used for established qualities of histories, cultures, traditions, and institutions rather than for the length of a single everyday action.

Other meanings

  • ancientadjective
  • enduringadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word