eternal

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 永 has 5 strokes and appears in words for lasting or eternal duration.
• Basic usage: 永遠 is read えいえん, and 永住 is read えいじゅう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Time without an end
  • 永遠に続けばいい expresses a wish that something would continue forever. It does not assert that it actually will.
  • 永遠の命 means eternal life.
  • 永遠に modifies an action, while 永遠の modifies the following noun.
• Settling in a place permanently
  • 海辺の町への永住を決める means deciding to settle permanently in a seaside town. 永住 focuses on continuing to live in a particular place.