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天长地久 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
天长地久tiānchángdìjiǔenduring while the world lasts (idiom)HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21843, Very Hard
天长地久tiānchángdìjiǔeternalHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #21843, Very Hard
tiānchángdìjiǔ(tian1chang2di4jiu3)tian chang di jiu T1
  1. 1enduring while the world lasts (idiom)
  2. 2eternal
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March 24, 2026

天长地久(天長地久)tiānchángdìjiǔ(tian1chang2di4jiu3)

The idiom '天长地久' (tiān cháng dì jiǔ) conveys the idea of something that lasts forever, symbolizing eternity and unchanging love or loyalty. It is often used in poetic contexts or to express deep commitment in relationships, emphasizing the timelessness of feelings.

Strokes17Frequency#21843DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

'天长地久' is often referenced in Chinese literature and poetry to describe enduring love or loyalty, reflecting traditional values of commitment and stability in relationships.

Memory tip

Imagine the sky (天) stretching endlessly and the earth (地) standing firm, both enduring through time. The long (长) and lasting (久) nature of this imagery will help you remember that this idiom refers to eternal concepts.

Meanings of 天长地久

tiānchángdìjiǔ(tian1chang2di4jiu3)
1enduring while the world lasts (idiom)
2eternal
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About 天长地久

天长地久Simplified
天長地久Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 天长地久

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in formal contexts, such as poetry or romantic expressions. Learners often mistakenly use it in casual conversation; it’s best reserved for special occasions. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: '长' should be pronounced with a rising tone and '久' with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

Although this idiom isn't part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other idioms expressing time and permanence, such as '长久' (lasting long). Focus on understanding each character's meaning and how they combine to convey a deeper context.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the order of the characters, mistakenly saying '地久天长'. Remember that '天长' comes first, signifying the sky’s enduring nature before the earth’s.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 天长地久

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Idiom spotlight: 天长地久

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:heaven long earth everlasting

Component characters

天tiānday
HSK 14 strokes大
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长chángchief
HSK 24 strokes长
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地dìearth
HSK 26 strokes土
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久jiǔ(long) time
HSK 33 strokes丿
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How to say enduring while the world lasts (idiom) in Chinese

“enduring while the world lasts (idiom)” in Chinese is天长地久tiānchángdìjiǔ

The idiom '天长地久' (tiān cháng dì jiǔ) conveys the idea of something that lasts forever, symbolizing eternity and unchanging love or loyalty. It is often used in poetic contexts or to express deep commitment in relationships, emphasizing the timelessness of feelings.

When to use 天长地久

This idiom is typically used in formal contexts, such as poetry or romantic expressions. Learners often mistakenly use it in casual conversation; it’s best reserved for special occasions. Be cautious with tone pronunciation: '长' should be pronounced with a rising tone and '久' with a falling tone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse the order of the characters, mistakenly saying '地久天长'. Remember that '天长' comes first, signifying the sky’s enduring nature before the earth’s.

Write 天长地久

天
长
地
久

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Frequently asked questions about 天长地久

It's better to use this idiom in more formal contexts, such as in poetry or when expressing deep feelings.

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