万古长青
*The explanations on this page are generated by AI. Please note that they may contain inaccurate information.
1. Basic Information
- Pinyin: wàn gǔ liú fāng
- English Translation: Evergreen forever (remaining fresh and eternal)
- Idiom Composition: 「万」(Ten thousand; myriad; eternal)
+ 「古」(Ancient times; ages) + 「长」(Long; forever; constant) + 「青」(Green; lush; youthful (referring to the color of evergreen foliage)) - Meaning: Literally describing how evergreen trees like pines and cypresses stay green throughout the ages; figuratively refers to noble spirits, great achievements, or friendships that remain vital and endure forever without fading.
2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances
「万古长青」 contains the following nuances:
- Eternal Vitality: Beyond just 'lasting a long time,' the character 青 (qīng) implies maintaining a sense of freshness, youth, and life, much like a plant that never withers even in winter.
- Formal Register: This expression is rarely used for personal romance or minor hobbies. It is a solemn term reserved for grand concepts like 友谊 (yǒuyì - friendship), 精神 (jīngshén - spirit), or the 祖国 (zǔguó - motherland).
3. Usage
「万古长青」 is mainly used in the following contexts:
- Diplomacy and International Relations: Frequently used in diplomatic speeches and official documents as a set phrase to wish for the eternal friendship between two nations or organizations.
- Example:「愿两国人民的友谊万古长青。」
(May the friendship between the peoples of our two nations remain evergreen forever.)
- Example:「愿两国人民的友谊万古长青。」
- Praising Spirit or Legacy: Used to express that the spirit of a great person or a revolutionary cause continues to hold value across generations.
- Example:「雷锋精神万古长青,永远激励着我们。」
(The spirit of Lei Feng (雷锋) is immortal and will continue to inspire us forever.)
- Example:「雷锋精神万古长青,永远激励着我们。」
- Formal Congratulations and Slogans: Displayed as a slogan during school anniversaries or corporate milestones to wish for the organization's continued prosperity.
- Example:「祝母校基业长青,桃李满天下,万古长青!」
(I wish my alma mater continued prosperity and that its legacy endures forever!)
- Example:「祝母校基业长青,桃李满天下,万古长青!」
Additional Examples:
- 真正的艺术具有万古长青的生命力。
(True art possesses a vitality that is evergreen.) - 虽然他已经离开了我们,但他留下的思想万古长青。
(Though he has left us, the ideas he bequeathed remain eternal.) - 让我们共同浇灌这棵友谊之树,让它万古长青。
(Let us nurture this tree of friendship together so that it stays green forever.) - 这不仅是一座建筑,更是中华文化万古长青的象征。
(This is not just a building, but a symbol of the everlasting nature of Chinese culture.)
4. Cultural Background and Notes
- Symbolism of Plants: In Chinese culture, the pine (松 - sōng) and cypress (柏 - bǎi) are symbols of longevity and steadfastness because they remain green even in the harshest winters. 万古长青 (wàn gǔ cháng qīng) captures this botanical metaphor for human virtues and relationships.
- Register and Tone: This is a high-register, formal idiom. Using it in casual conversation might sound overly dramatic or theatrical; it is best suited for formal writing, speeches, or inscriptions.
- Variations: A similar phrase is 万古长春 (wàn gǔ cháng chūn), where 春 (chūn - spring) replaces 青 (qīng). Both convey the idea of eternal prosperity and life.
5. Similar and Opposite Idioms
- Similar Idioms:
- 万古流芳 (wàn gǔ liú fāng): A good reputation or great achievements being passed down and remembered forever by future generations.
- 基业长青 (jī yè cháng qīng): Refers specifically to the foundation of an enterprise or organization remaining prosperous and enduring for a long time.
- 天长地久 (tiān cháng dì jiǔ): Lasting as long as the sky and earth; everlasting.link
- 长盛不衰 (cháng shèng bù shuāi): To continue to prosper and flourish without decline.link
- Opposite Idioms:
- 昙花一现 (tán huā yí xiàn): Like the 'Queen of the Night' flower that blooms for only a moment; refers to something beautiful that disappears very quickly.
- 过眼云烟 (guò yǎn yún yān): Like clouds or smoke passing before one's eyes; refers to things that vanish quickly and do not leave a lasting impression.
- 好景不长 (hǎo jǐng bù cháng): Good times do not last long.link
- 化为乌有 (huà wéi wū yǒu): To turn into nothing; to vanish into thin air.link
6. Summary
万古长青 (wàn gǔ cháng qīng) is a formal and prestigious idiom used to wish for the eternal vitality of friendships, spirits, or great causes. Drawing on the imagery of evergreen trees, it is most commonly found in diplomatic speeches or official celebrations to denote a legacy that never withers. It is generally too formal for casual, everyday conversation.
