长 cháng — length; long; forever; always; constantly; chief
这条河很长。Zhè tiáo hé hěn cháng.This river is very long.
Common words: 长大 (zhǎng dà)、家长 (jiā zhǎng)、队长 (duì zhǎng)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "forever"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "forever", including 长 (cháng), 永 (yǒng). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "forever" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 长 (cháng), 永 (yǒng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span cháng, yǒng — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 长 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 长 chánglength; long; forever; always; constantly; chiefUseful words: 长大, 家长
- 永 yǒngforever; always; perpetual (ly)Useful words: 永远, 永恒
Common words for these 2 "forever" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 长 (cháng) — so "forever" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "forever".
永 yǒng — forever; always; perpetual (ly)
我会永远记得这段美好的时光。Wǒ huì yǒng yuǎn jì de zhè duàn měi hǎo de shí guāng.I will always remember this wonderful time.
Common words: 永远 (yǒng yuǎn)、永恒 (yǒng héng)、永不 (yǒng bù)
All 2 characters
Open 长、永 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.