天长日久

Pronunciation: tiān cháng rì jiǔ Literal meaning: Time is long and enduring

Origin & Usage

The idiom 天长日久 (tiān cháng rì jiǔ) is commonly used in classical Chinese literature to express the concept of enduring time or a prolonged period. It appears in works such as the Qing dynasty novel 《红楼梦》 (Dream of the Red Chamber) by Cao Xueqin, where it describes the passage of time and its effects on life and relationships. The characters 天 (tiān) and 日 (rì) both refer to celestial bodies, symbolizing the vastness of time, while 长 (cháng) and 久 (jiǔ) emphasize its length and continuity. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe situations or processes that unfold over a long duration, highlighting the impact of time on change and development.

Examples

English: "Their friendship has lasted through thick and thin over the years."

Chinese: 他们的友谊天长日久，历久弥新。