Meaning
永 means eternity, permanence, and long duration. It points to things that stretch beyond ordinary limits of time — things that simply keep going. In practice, it shows up in words for permanent residency, lifelong titles, and concepts like undying love or endless peace.
永 originated as a pictograph of branching water. Oracle bone scripts show a central current with tributaries spreading outward — water that flows without end. Over centuries of stylization, that image compressed into the five-stroke form used today. Rivers don't stop. Neither does 永.
永 has 5 strokes and is taught in Grade 5 of the Japanese elementary school curriculum. Its radical is 水 (water). Calligraphers give it particular attention: the eight directional strokes in 永 — called eiji happō (永字八法) — are the standard training exercise for mastering all basic brushstroke techniques in East Asian calligraphy.
In modern Japanese, 永 appears mostly in compound words. It carries a formal, somewhat solemn weight — more at home in legal documents, official titles, and philosophical texts than in casual conversation.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi of 永 is エイ (ei). This reading covers nearly all compound words (熟語, jukugo) involving 永 — the formal vocabulary found in names, written Japanese, and official language.
- 永久 (eikyū) — eternity, permanence, perpetuity (used in formal and scientific contexts)
- 永遠 (eien) — eternity, forever (common in emotional and literary contexts)
- 永続 (eizoku) — permanence, continuity, lasting indefinitely
エイ traces back to the kanji's classical Chinese pronunciation. In a newspaper, academic paper, or legal document, 永 at the start of a compound is almost always read as エイ.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi is なが.い (nagai). The dot marks the boundary: なが is the kanji's reading, while the い that follows is okurigana — the hiragana suffix completing the adjective. This reading applies when 永 stands alone as an adjective meaning "long" or "eternal."
- 永い (nagai) — long, eternal (adjective; mainly literary or poetic)
- 永らえる (nagaraeru) — to live long, to survive, to endure
- 永の別れ (naga no wakare) — eternal farewell, final parting (set literary expression)
In everyday Japanese, 長い (ながい) with the kanji 長 is far more common for the simple meaning of "long." The kun'yomi なが.い of 永 belongs mainly to literary, poetic, or classical contexts — it adds a sense of timelessness that 長い does not carry.
Common Words & Compounds
Below are key compound words using 永, organized thematically to help you understand how it functions in different contexts.
Concepts of Time and Duration
- 永遠 (eien) — eternity, forever; the word most often chosen in songs, love letters, and literature when "forever" is what someone means
- 永久 (eikyū) — permanence, perpetuity; used in technical contexts like 永久磁石 (permanent magnet) or 永久歯 (permanent teeth)
- 永続 (eizoku) — lasting continuity; often appears in business and legal language
- 永年 (einen) — many years, a long time; used in formal recognitions such as long-service awards
Residency and Nationality
- 永住 (eijū) — permanent residence; the key term for anyone building long-term legal status in Japan (永住権 = permanent residency rights)
- 永住権 (eijūken) — permanent residency permit; a key immigration term
- 永住者 (eijūsha) — permanent resident
Literary and Philosophical Expressions
- 永眠 (eimin) — eternal sleep, death (a euphemism used in obituaries and formal announcements)
- 永訣 (eiketsu) — eternal farewell, final parting; a deeply literary term
- 永世 (eisei) — eternity, perpetuity across generations; appears in titles like 永世名人 (lifetime honorary master) in shogi/go
Calligraphy
- 永字八法 (eiji happō) — the eight fundamental brushstroke techniques embodied in the single character 永; the cornerstone of East Asian calligraphy training
Example Sentences
二人の愛は永遠に続くと信じています。
Futari no ai wa eien ni tsuzuku to shinjite imasu.
I believe that the love between the two of them will last forever.
彼は日本の永住権を取得しました。
Kare wa Nihon no eijūken wo shutoku shimashita.
He obtained permanent residency in Japan.
祖父は先月永眠いたしました。
Sofu wa sengetsu eimin itashimashita.
My grandfather passed away last month.
この会社は永続的な成長を目指しています。
Kono kaisha wa eizokuteki na seichō wo mezashite imasu.
This company is aiming for sustainable, lasting growth.
子供の永久歯が生えてきました。
Kodomo no eikyūshi ga haete kimashita.
My child's permanent teeth have started to come in.
彼女との永の別れを覚悟した。
Kanojo to no naga no wakare wo kakugo shita.
I prepared myself for an eternal farewell from her.
平和が永久に続くことを願っています。
Heiwa ga eikyū ni tsuzuku koto wo negatte imasu.
I wish for peace to continue permanently.
あの選手は将棋の永世名人の称号を持っています。
Ano senshu wa shōgi no eisei meijin no shōgō wo motte imasu.
That player holds the lifetime honorary master title in shogi.
記憶は永遠ではないが、心に刻まれた思い出は消えない。
Kioku wa eien de wa nai ga, kokoro ni kizamareta omoide wa kienai.
Memories are not eternal, but the moments engraved in one's heart never disappear.
Memory Tip
Picture 永 as a river seen from above — the central stroke is the main current, and the branching strokes are tributaries spreading in all directions. Water flows without stopping. That image is 永: unbroken continuation.
Calligraphy offers a second hook. The eight strokes of 永 — the eiji happō (永字八法) — are the standard drill for every fundamental brushstroke in East Asian writing. Master this one character and you have practiced the foundations of the whole system. Every time you see 永, picture that branching river and the character that holds every stroke.