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永 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
永yǒngforeverHSK 6, ns, 5 strokes, radical 水, rank #5088, Hard
永yǒngalwaysHSK 6, ns, 5 strokes, radical 水, rank #5088, Hard
永yǒngperpetualHSK 6, ns, 5 strokes, radical 水, rank #5088, Hard
永yǒnglong; perpetual, eternal; foreverHSK 6, ns, 5 strokes, radical 水, rank #5088, Hard
yǒng(yong3) T3
  1. 1forever
  2. 2always
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
永yǒng(yong3)

The character 永 (yǒng) means 'forever' or 'eternal,' conveying the idea of something that lasts indefinitely. It is often used in contexts related to time, commitment, or enduring qualities, such as love or relationships.

Strokes5Radical水Frequency#5088DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of eternity is often idealized in literature and art, symbolizing enduring love or loyalty, as seen in famous poems and romantic tales.

Memory Tip

Imagine a river (the radical of 永) flowing endlessly, representing eternity. The sound 'yǒng' can be remembered by visualizing 'young' people who believe in forever love, making a vow at the riverbank.

Meanings of 永

yǒng(yong3)
1forever
2always
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 永

永Simplified
5Strokes
水Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#5088Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6

Podcast: 永

JasonAmy

Podcast: 永

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 永

Quick Contrast

永 (yǒng) vs 恒 (héng) — use 永 for a more poetic or emotional sense of eternity, while 恒 is more technical or formal, often used in scientific contexts.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a river (the radical of 永) flowing endlessly, representing eternity. The sound 'yǒng' can be remembered by visualizing 'young' people who believe in forever love, making a vow at the riverbank.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 永, as a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as poetry or declarations, and is often paired with words like '爱' (love) to express eternal love.

HSK Study Tips

Although 永 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects well with HSK 1 and 2 level words related to time and duration. Focus on using it in phrases that express commitment or continuity to enhance your vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of eternity is often idealized in literature and art, symbolizing enduring love or loyalty, as seen in famous poems and romantic tales.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 永 with 永远 (yǒngyuǎn) and use them interchangeably without understanding their nuances. For example, saying '我永爱你' instead of '我永远爱你' is incorrect; the latter is the proper expression for 'I will love you forever.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 永

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Etymology of 永

Explanation

Pictograph of a long river with a tributary.

Learn more about character formation (六书)
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 永?

Decomposition of 永

IDS Structure⿱？水
永Full Character
=
水Shui3
top
Exercise 1 of 1

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 永?

Write 永

永

Practice writing 永 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 永

永 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons4
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

此人并不存在，将来亦不会出现，____远不会。

This person does not exist, nor will they appear in the future — never.

Common Confusions with 永

永vs勇
yǒng

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

永vs用
yòng

Similar phonetics but with different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "forever"?

or

Example Sentences for 永 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
你以为你可以欺负我吗？你不能，永远不能！

nǐ yǐ wéi nǐ kě yǐ qī fù wǒ ma？ ？ nǐ bù， néng ， yǒng yuǎn！

Do you think you can walk over me? Well, you won't, ever!
2
愿主的平和与你永在。

yuàn zhǔ de píng hé yǔ nǐ yǒng zài。

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
3
我把1亿美元藏到了一个永远没人会找到的地方。

wǒ bǎ1 1 yì měi yuán cáng dào le yī gè yǒng yuǎn méi rén huì zhǎo dào de dì。

I have $100m hidden away where no one will ever find it.
4
他们已经入境该国，并申请了永久居留权。

tā mén yǐ jīng rù jìng gāi guó， ， bìng shēn qǐng le yǒng jiǔ jū liú。

They had entered the country and had applied for permanent residence.
5
我永远忘不了你为这些小孩子所做的一切。

wǒ yǒng yuǎn wàng bù le nǐ wéi zhè xiē xiǎo hái zǐ suǒ zuò de yī qiē。

I'm not ever going to forget what you've done for the nippers.
6
这个人的整个人格似乎被永远地扭曲了。

zhè gè rén de zhěng gè rén gé sì hū bèi yǒng yuǎn dì niǔ qū le。

The individual's whole personality appears to be permanently warped.
7
他总是渴望拥有新的经历，而且永远愿意尝试。

tā zǒng shì kě wàng yōng yǒu xīn de jīng lì， ， ér qiě yǒng yuǎn yuàn yì cháng。

He is always eager for new experiences and ever-willing to experiment.
8
他不是完人，永远不可能十全十美。

tā bù shì wán rén， ， yǒng yuǎn bù kě néng shí quán shí。

He was not a paragon. He would never be perfect.
9
列宁永远活在亿万人民的心中。

liè níng yǒng yuǎn huó zài yì wàn rén mín de xīn zhōng。

Lenin lives on in the minds and hearts of millions of people.
10
奥拉伊奇先生通过结婚而取得在英国的永久居留权。

ào lā yī qí xiān shēng tōng guò jié hūn ér qǔ dé zài yīng guó de yǒng jiǔ jū liú quán。

Mr Olaechea has British residency by virtue of his marriage.

Cultural Notes for 永

💡Did you know?

The character 永 is often used in Chinese names and phrases to symbolize everlasting love and loyalty. It embodies the idea of permanence, which is highly valued in Chinese culture.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of eternity is often idealized in literature and art, symbolizing enduring love or loyalty, as seen in famous poems and romantic tales.

📜Proverb

There is a popular Chinese saying, '爱是永恒的' (Love is eternal). This phrase is often used in romantic contexts to express the idea that true love lasts forever.

Word Family of 永

Compounds11
求qiu2to seek
泳yong3swimming
脉mai4old variant of 脈
咏yong3to sing, to hum, to chant
昶chang3bright, clear; extended
怺
昹
栐
眿
羕yang4river, flowing water
詠yong3to sing, to hum, to chant
Words Containing This Character20
永远yǒngyuǎnforever永遠
永yǒngforever
永恒yǒnghéngeternal永恆
永不yǒngbùnever
永久yǒngjiǔeverlasting
永乐Yongle Emperor, reign name of third Ming emperor Zhu Di 朱棣[Zhū​Dì] (1360-1424), reigned 1403-1424, Temple name 明成祖[Míng​Chéng​zǔ]永樂
永生to live forever
永久性permanent
永别to part forever永別
永世eternal
一劳永逸to get sth done once and for all一勞永逸
崔永元Cui Yongyuan (1963-), TV presenter
永安Yong'an county level city in Sanming 三明[Sān​míng], Fujian
永无止境without end永無止境
永和Yonghe or Yungho city in New Taipei City 新北市[Xīn​běi​shì], Taiwan
永康Yongkang county level city in Jinhua 金華|金华[Jīn​huá], Zhejiang
永垂不朽eternal glory
永嘉reign name 307-313 of Jin Emperor Huai 晋怀帝
周永康Zhou Yongkang (1942-), PRC petroleum engineer and politician
永州Yongzhou prefecture level city in Hunan
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 求 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 永

Yes, one common idiom is '永不放弃' (yǒng bù fàngqì), which means 'never give up.' This phrase encourages resilience and determination, emphasizing the importance of perseverance.