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永遠 (えいえん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N3 Freq. Frequency Top 5,000 Meanings 1
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
eternity ; perpetuity ; permanence ; immortality
Refers to an endless or infinite duration, often used in abstract, philosophical, or emotional contexts. Can function as a noun, no-adjective, or na-adjective.
この
瞬しゅん
間かん
が
永えい
遠えん
に
続つづ
け
ば
いい
の
に
。
I wish this moment would last forever.
Written forms 永えい 遠えん Usage 100%
Standard kanji spelling; high priority.
エイエン Usage <1%
Similar words 永えい 久きゅう 永久 also means 'eternity' or 'permanence', but is more commonly used in technical or formal contexts (e.g., 永久歯 'permanent teeth', 永久凍土 'permafrost'). 永遠 is more emotional and philosophical.
恒こう 久きゅう 恒久 emphasizes unchanging permanence, often used in political or social contexts (e.g., 恒久平和 'lasting peace'). 永遠 focuses on infinite time rather than unchanging state.
Etymology Compound of 永 (ei, 'long, eternal') and 遠 (en, 'far, distant'). The combination has been used in Chinese and Japanese to express endless time.
