とこしえ

と

こ

し

え

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective

eternity; permanence; forever

usually written using kana alone

A somewhat literary or poetic word for something that lasts forever or is unchanging. Often used in the phrase とこしえに (eternally).

この愛あいはとこしえに変かわらない。
This love will never change, for all eternity.
とこしえの平へい和わを願ねがう。
I wish for eternal peace.

See all 3 example sentences ›

Kanji

常usual, ordinary, normal
長long, leader, superior
永eternity, long, lengthy
久long time, old story

Related words

永えい遠えん
永遠 is the standard, everyday word for 'eternity'. とこしえ is more literary and less common.
永えい久きゅう
永久 is also common for 'permanence' or 'eternity', but とこしえ has a more classical, poetic feel.

Written forms

とこしえUsage100%
The word is usually written in kana. Kanji spellings exist but are less common.
常とこしえ
Kanji spelling using 常 (constant). Rarely used.
長とこしえ
Kanji spelling using 長 (long). Rarely used.
永とこしえ
Kanji spelling using 永 (eternal). Rarely used.
永久とこしえ
Kanji spelling using 永久 (eternity). This reading is irregular; 永久 is normally read えいきゅう.

Etymology

From the classical form とこしへ, “eternity; forever.” The first element is associated with 常, “perpetual,” while the historical analysis of the remainder is uncertain.