How to Write 永 (yǒng) — Meaning “Forever; eternal”

Imagine a swimmer doing the breaststroke forever: the top dot is the head, the horizontal stroke is the arms, and the two diagonal strokes are the legs kicking. This motion of swimming endlessly helps you recall the meaning 'eternal'.

The stroke order is: dot, horizontal hook, horizontal left-falling, left-falling, then right-falling. A common mistake is making the horizontal hook too short or forgetting the dot; also ensure the two diagonal strokes are balanced and extend outward symmetrically.

永 has a dot on top and five strokes, while 水 (water) has no dot and only four strokes with a vertical hook in the center. 氵 is the three-dot water radical used only as a component in other characters, never alone like 永.

永 appears in common words like 永远 (forever) and 永久 (permanent), expressing lasting duration. Culturally, it is part of the idiom 永垂不朽 (eternal glory), often used to honor heroes or great achievements that will never fade.

Common words containing 永 include: 永远 (yǒng yuǎn) — Forever; always (simplified); 永久 (yǒng jiǔ) — Permanent; everlasting; 永恒 (yǒng héng) — Eternal; eternity (simplified).