• 永遠えいえん — eternity
• 永久えいきゅう — permanent
• 永住えいじゅう — permanent residence
• 永続えいぞく — continuation
• 永眠えいみん — eternal sleep
• 永別ながわかれ — final farewell

The shape of 永 resembles a long river splitting into branches, symbolizing flow and continuity. From this, the meaning “long” or “eternal” arises. It’s considered a model kanji in calligraphy for practicing basic strokes.

彼かれの愛あいは 永遠えいえんです。
His love is eternal.

日本にほんに 永住えいじゅうしたいです。
I want to live in Japan permanently.

永 is pronounced エイ (ei) in most compounds, and ながい (nagai) in older or classical texts. The nuance always suggests a long-lasting or timeless quality.