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 "long"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "long", including 长 (cháng), 久 (jiǔ), 久 (jiǔ), 龙 (lóng), 曼 (màn), 寿 (shòu). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "long" covers 7 different Chinese characters — 长 (cháng), 久 (jiǔ), 久 (jiǔ), 龙 (lóng), 曼 (màn), 寿 (shòu), 悠 (yōu) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 7 characters do not share a sound — their readings span cháng, jiǔ, lóng, màn, shòu, yōu — 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
- 久 jiǔ(long) time; (long) duration of timeUseful words: 多久, 不久
- 久 jiǔ(long) time; (long) duration of timeUseful words: 多久, 不久
- 龙 lóngdragon; imperial; Long (a surname)Useful words: 水龙头, 沙龙
- 曼 mànhandsome; large; longUseful words: 曼波, 伊曼
Common words for these 7 "long" characters
Anchor each of these 7 characters in a word you can picture — start with 长 (cháng) — so "long" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
长大zhǎng dàto grow up家长jiā zhǎnghead of a household; family head; patriarch; parent or guardian of a child队长duì zhǎngcaptain; team leader多久duō jiǔ(of time) how long?; (not) a long time不久bù jiǔnot long (after); before too long; soon; soon after好久hǎo jiǔ(coll.) for a long time多久duō jiǔ(of time) how long?; (not) a long time不久bù jiǔnot long (after); before too long; soon; soon after好久hǎo jiǔ(coll.) for a long time水龙头shuǐ lóng tóufaucet; tap
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 7 ways to say "long".
久 jiǔ — (long) time; (long) duration of time
我们已经很久没见面了。Wǒ men yǐ jīng hěn jiǔ méi jiàn miàn le.We have not seen each other for a long time.
Common words: 多久 (duō jiǔ)、不久 (bù jiǔ)、好久 (hǎo jiǔ)
久 jiǔ — (long) time; (long) duration of time
我们已经很久没见面了。Wǒ men yǐ jīng hěn jiǔ méi jiàn miàn le.We have not seen each other for a long time.
Common words: 多久 (duō jiǔ)、不久 (bù jiǔ)、好久 (hǎo jiǔ)
龙 lóng — dragon; imperial; Long (a surname)
龙是中国传统文化中的吉祥动物。Lóng shì Zhōng guó chuán tǒng wén huà zhōng de jí xiáng dòng wù.The dragon is an auspicious animal in traditional Chinese culture.
Common words: 水龙头 (shuǐ lóng tóu)、沙龙 (shā lóng)、恐龙 (kǒng lóng)
曼 màn — handsome; large; long
这首乐曲的旋律十分曼妙。Zhè shǒu yuè qǔ de xuán lǜ shí fēn màn miào.The melody of this piece of music is very graceful.
Common words: 曼波 (màn bō)、伊曼 (yī màn)、罗曼使 (luó màn shǐ)
寿 shòu — (long) life
我们祝爷爷健康长寿。Wǒ men zhù yé ye jiàn kāng cháng shòu.We wish Grandpa health and long life.
Common words: 寿命 (shòu mìng)、寿司 (shòu sī)、长寿 (cháng shòu)
悠 yōu — at ease; long (in time); sad
中国有着悠久的历史和文化。Zhōng guó yǒu zhe yōu jiǔ de lì shǐ hé wén huà.China has a long history and culture.
Common words: 悠久 (yōu jiǔ)、转悠 (zhuàn you)、忽悠 (hū you)
All 7 characters
Open 长、久、久 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.