久 connects words about a long interval or lasting time. Learn its readings in complete words and contexts.
The idea
久 has three strokes. In 久しぶり and 久々 it is read ひさ; in 永久 it is read きゅう. The repetition mark 々 repeats 久, so 久々 is ひさびさ.
Examples
- 久しぶりに友達に会いました。I met a friend for the first time in a long while.
- ここに来るのは久しぶりです。It has been a long time since I last came here.
- 久しぶりにまた楽しく話しました。We enjoyed talking again after a long time.
- この橋は永久の建造物ではありません。This bridge is not a permanent structure.
- その計画について長い間、話し合いました。We spent a long time discussing the plan.
- 久々にピアノを弾きました。I played the piano for the first time in a while.
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Watch out
久しぶり marks an interval since the previous occasion; 永久 means permanent or eternal. Neither simply means that an action took a long time.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 久しぶり in hiragana.
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ひさしぶり
久しぶり is ひさしぶり: it describes the first occasion after a long interval.
Write the reading of 永久 in hiragana.
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えいきゅう
永久 is えいきゅう: the compound means permanent or eternal.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿々（ひさびさ）［久／欠］.
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久
久 completes 久々, read ひさびさ; 々 repeats the preceding kanji.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 久しぶり in hiragana.
Write the reading of 永久 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿々（ひさびさ）［久／欠］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 久 in three strokes, then cover the readings and recall 久しぶり and 永久. Make a sentence about something you did again after a long break.