命

Meaning

命 centers on the idea of a binding directive that shapes existence: a command or decree that determines one's fate, destiny, or the very course of life. The sense of 'appoint' follows naturally as issuing such a directive to a person.

• 命いのち
  N3

  life; life force

• 生命せいめい
  N3

  life; existence

• 命令めいれい
  N3

  order; command; decree; directive

• 革命かくめい
  N2

  revolution

• 運命うんめい
  N2

  fate; destiny; lot

• 命ずるめいずる
  N2

  to order; to command

• 一生懸命いっしょうけんめい
  N4

  very hard; with utmost effort; as hard as one can; with all one's might; for dear life; eagerly; desperately

• 寿命じゅみょう
  N2

  lifespan; life; lifetime

• 使命しめい
  N1

  mission; errand

• 任命にんめい
  N1

  appointment; nomination; ordination; commission; designation

• 亡命ぼうめい
  N1

  fleeing from one's country; seeking asylum; defection; emigration (for political reasons); (going into) exile; becoming a (political) refugee

• 救命きゅうめい

  lifesaving

• 命名めいめい

  naming; christening

• 命中めいちゅう
  N1

  (direct) hit; hitting the mark

• 本命ほんめい

  favorite (to win); favourite; likely winner

• 宿命しゅくめい
  N1

  fate; destiny; predestination

• 懸命けんめい

  eager; earnest; strenuous; fervent; assiduous; with utmost effort

• 致命傷ちめいしょう

  fatal wound

• 人命じんめい
  N2

  (human) life

• 余命よめい

  remainder of one's life; one's remaining days; time left (to live)

• 命じるめいじる
  N3

  to order; to command

• 延命えんめい

  keeping alive longer; prolonging life; life extension; life-support

• 命題めいだい

  proposition; thesis; notion; theory

• 命日めいにち
  N1

  anniversary of a person's death; monthly return of the date of someone's death

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