永

Used to denote unending time, continuity, or perpetuity.

Pictograph depicts a person moving through water, arms and legs extended.

Originally meant “to swim.”

Later borrowed to mean “long, enduring,” while the original “swim” meaning was preserved separately by adding the water radical to create 泳 (“to swim”).

Semantic range:

- long, enduring (시간이 길다)

- eternal, perpetual (영원 永遠)

- figurative: constancy, lasting qualities

영원 (永遠) – eternity, forever

영구 (永久) – permanent, lasting

영생 (永生) – eternal life

영속 (永續) – perpetuity, continuation

영대 (永代) – for generations, perpetual

Historically used in personal names, especially for boys, as a wish for long life in times of short average lifespan (e.g., 영수, 영호, 영철, 영준).

Still common in Korean names without a “dated” or old-fashioned feel.

One of the most frequently used characters in Japanese era names (年号, 연호), including 嘉永 (Ka’ei, 1848–1854).