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March 24, 2026
悠久yōujiǔ(you1jiu3)
悠久 refers to something that has a long duration, often in the context of history or tradition. It conveys a sense of deep-rootedness and continuity in cultural or historical contexts, indicating that something has lasted for a significant amount of time, often with positive connotations.
Frequency#15022DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 悠久 is often used in discussions about Chinese civilization, which boasts thousands of years of continuous culture, such as in references to the 悠久的文化 (long-standing culture) of Confucianism and Taoism.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old tree (悠) standing for centuries, its roots deep in the earth (久), representing long-lasting traditions. The character 悠, with its flowing lines, suggests a gentle, enduring presence, while 久’s horizontal strokes symbolize stability over time.
Meanings of 悠久
yōujiǔ(you1jiu3)
1long (tradition, history etc)
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About 悠久
悠久Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#15022Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 悠久
Podcast: 悠久
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AI Study Notes for 悠久
Quick Contrast
古老 (gǔlǎo) — use 悠久 to emphasize continuity and cultural significance, while 古老 focuses on age without the same connotation of ongoing relevance.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old tree (悠) standing for centuries, its roots deep in the earth (久), representing long-lasting traditions. The character 悠, with its flowing lines, suggests a gentle, enduring presence, while 久’s horizontal strokes symbolize stability over time.
Usage Notes
悠久 is typically used in more formal contexts, often in literature or discussions about history and culture. Common collocations include 悠久的历史 (long history) and 悠久的传统 (long-standing tradition). Be careful with pronunciation; ensure you give the correct tones to avoid confusion.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 悠久 connects to other vocabulary related to history, culture, and time. Students at this level should focus on understanding its use in contexts discussing heritage and traditions, enhancing their descriptive language skills.
Cultural Note
The concept of 悠久 is often used in discussions about Chinese civilization, which boasts thousands of years of continuous culture, such as in references to the 悠久的文化 (long-standing culture) of Confucianism and Taoism.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 悠久 with other duration-related words. For example, saying '这部电影的悠久' (This movie is long) is incorrect; it should be '这部电影的时长很长' (This movie is long in duration).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 悠久
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Grammar Patterns of 悠久
悠久 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The concept of 悠久 is often used in discussions about Chinese civilization, which boasts thousands of years of continuous culture, such as in references to the 悠久的文化 (long-standing culture) of Confucianism and Taoism.
Frequently Asked Questions about 悠久
悠久 emphasizes cultural or historical depth, while 长久 generally refers to a long duration without the cultural connotation.
It's typically used for historical or cultural contexts, so using it for modern objects or trends may sound awkward.
It's more common in formal writing or discussions about history and traditions rather than in everyday conversation.
