久

jiǔ
HSK 3
#636 most
frequent character
(long) time, (long) duration of time
noun
adverb

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

久 is a picture of an arrow's end where it meets the bowstring. That was its first meaning, the nock. The meaning long duration was borrowed only for its sound.

Drawn as: arrow end at bowstring

久 as a component in other characters

sound4 characters
疚灸玖匛

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Example Sentences

我在这里等了很久。
wǒzài zhèlǐ děng le hěnjiǔ 。
I have been waiting here for a long time.
这个电影真的很久没有上映了。
zhègè diànyǐng zhēnde hěnjiǔ méiyǒu shàngyìng le 。
This movie hasn't been released for a long time.
他已经很久没有回家了。
tā yǐjīng hěnjiǔ méiyǒu huíjiā le 。
He hasn't been home for a long time.

Words with similar meanings

很久hěnjiǔ
very long time
This phrase emphasizes a long duration, similar to '久', but is often used in colloquial settings.
长时间chángshíjiān
long period of time
This term is more formal and emphasizes an extended timeframe, suitable for written language.

Homophones

HSK 1
九jiǔ
nine, 9
酒jiǔ
alcohol, liqueur

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Public Lists with 久

HSK 3
All words for the HSK 3 test
Time & Dates
Days of the week, months, seasons, telling time, and related expressions.