thousand years; millennium; eternity
Literary term for a very long time, often used in set phrases like 千載一遇 (once-in-a-lifetime chance). Not used in everyday conversation.
Don't miss this once-in-a-millennium opportunity.
This work is a masterpiece that will endure for a thousand years.
Standard kanji spelling for 'thousand years' or 'eternity'.
Alternate kanji spelling; 歳 is more commonly read さい or とし, but this form is used in literary contexts.
Composed of 千 (thousand) and 載 (year, era). The kanji 載 carries a sense of 'accumulated years', giving the word a classical, enduring nuance.