over many years; for years
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesadverb
for many years; over a long period
literaryA classical or literary term, used to describe things that have accumulated or persisted over a span of years. It often modifies words indicating long-standing situations or issues.
Zhè这
shì是
yī一
qǐ起
jī积
nián年
jiù旧
àn案
，
xiàn线
suǒ索
zǎo早
yǐ已
zhōng中
duàn断
。
This is an old case that has been unsolved for many years, and the leads have long since gone cold.
Gōng公
sī司
qiàn欠
xīn薪
jī积
nián年
，
yuán员
gōng工
men们
zhōng终
yú于
jué决
dìng定
qǐ起
sù诉
。
After being owed wages for years, the employees finally decided to sue.
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Tā他
jī积
nián年
yán研
jiū究
gǔ古
dài代
wén文
xiàn献
，
pō颇
yǒu有
xīn心
dé得
。
He has studied ancient documents for many years and has gained considerable insight.
Zhè这
kē棵
gǔ古
shù树
jiàn见
zhèng证
le了
zhè这
ge个
cūn村
zhuāng庄
jī积
nián年
de的
biàn变
qiān迁
。
This ancient tree has witnessed the village's changes over the long years.
Tā他
men们
zhī之
jiān间
jī积
nián年
de的
ēn恩
yuàn怨
，
hěn很
nán难
huà化
jiě解
。
The long-standing grievances between them are difficult to resolve.