永えい代たい

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Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

Refers to something lasting forever or for a very long time, often used in formal or legal contexts such as 永代供養 (perpetual memorial services).

この寺じ院いんでは永えい代たい供く養ようを行おこなっている。
This temple offers perpetual memorial services.
永えい代たいにわたってこの土と地ちを守まもりたい。
I want to protect this land for eternity.

See all 6 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉を永えい代たいにわたって行おこなうto carry out something in perpetuity
この寺てらでは永えい代たいにわたって供く養ようを行おこなっている。
This temple performs memorial services in perpetuity.

Kanji

永eternity, long, lengthy
代substitute, change, convert

Related words

永えい遠えんN3
永遠 is the everyday word for eternity in abstract or emotional contexts, while 永代 is a formal term used mainly in legal, religious, or historical phrases like 永代供養.
永えい久きゅうN3
永久 means 'permanent, forever' and is used broadly (永久歯, 永久保存), whereas 永代 is narrower and tied to formal or ceremonial contexts such as temple services or land tenure.

Opposites

一いち代だい
一代 refers to a single generation or lifetime, contrasting with 永代's meaning of continuing forever across generations (e.g. 一代限りの供養 vs 永代供養).

Word family

永えい代たい供く養よう
perpetual memorial services; eternal Buddhist rites for the deceased
永えい代たい借しゃく地ち
perpetual lease
永えい代たい使し用よう料りょう
perpetual grave plot fee; one-time fee for grave land rental

Etymology

Compound of 永 (long, eternal) and 代 (age, generation). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of lasting across generations.