Meaning and Usage
"永遠" (えいえん) means "eternity" or "forever." It is often used to express something lasting indefinitely without end, such as eternal love or eternal life. It carries a poetic or serious tone and is common in literature, speeches, and emotional expressions.
Common Collocations
- 永遠に (えいえんに): adverb meaning "forever" or "eternally," used to describe actions or states continuing without end.
- 永遠の愛 (えいえんのあい): "eternal love," a common phrase expressing undying affection.
- 永遠の命 (えいえんのいのち): "eternal life," often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
Usage Notes
When using 永遠, the nuance is often idealistic or emotional, emphasizing permanence beyond normal time. It is not typically used for practical or everyday durations (e.g., a long meeting is not 永遠). Learners should avoid confusing 永遠 with 長い (long) or 無限 (infinite), as 永遠 specifically relates to time continuing endlessly.
Common Mistake
A common learner mistake is to use 永遠 casually for any long duration. Instead, reserve 永遠 for poetic or serious contexts about timelessness or immortality.