命

mìng

亼 + 叩

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

mìng (noun) life; fate; destiny

mìng (noun) command; order; decree

mìng (verb) to assign; to command

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 令 represents the sound and meaning. Based on the original meaning "command". The meaning later shifted to "fate" and "life".

About

命 is a phonosemantic compound combining 口 (kǒu) 'mouth' and 令 (lìng) 'command'. The mouth radical indicates the meaning, while 令 provides both the sound and the core idea of an order, evoking a spoken decree or an authoritative instruction from a superior. The original meaning was an official order or mandate. Because ancient philosophy understood human existence as a mandate bestowed by heaven, the character's sense expanded to fate, destiny, and the allotted span of life. Over time, it came to denote life itself, living existence, and the vital force of beings.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

生命是最宝贵的。

Shēngmìng shì zuì bǎoguì de.

Life is the most precious thing.

他的命运发生了改变。

Tā de mìngyùn fāshēng le gǎibiàn.

His fate has changed.

我们必须服从命令。

Wǒmen bìxū fúcóng mìnglìng.

We must obey orders.

这条命是他救回来的。

Zhè tiáo mìng shì tā jiù huílái de.

This life was saved by him.

遇到危险时要大声喊救命。

Yù dào wéixiǎn shí yào dàshēng hǎn jiùmìng.

When in danger, you should shout for help loudly.

他相信这是命中注定的。

Tā xiāngxìn zhè shì mìngzhōngzhùdìng de.

He believes this is destined.

那场革命改变了国家的命运。

Nà chǎng gémìng gǎibiàn le guójiā de mìngyùn.

That revolution changed the country's destiny.

完成这个使命，是他毕生的追求。

Wánchéng zhège shǐmìng, shì tā bìshēng de zhuīqiú.

Accomplishing this mission is the pursuit of his entire life.

Related Characters

Component: 亼

Example Words