noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
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).
This love will never change, for all eternity.
I wish for eternal peace.
永遠 is the standard, everyday word for 'eternity'. とこしえ is more literary and less common.
永久 is also common for 'permanence' or 'eternity', but とこしえ has a more classical, poetic feel.
The word is usually written in kana. Kanji spellings exist but are less common.
Kanji spelling using 常 (constant). Rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 長 (long). Rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 永 (eternal). Rarely used.
Kanji spelling using 永久 (eternity). This reading is irregular; 永久 is normally read えいきゅう.
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.