命 (mìng) — life; fate, destiny; order, command

Definition

命 (mìng) is a versatile noun meaning 'life', 'fate/destiny', or 'order/command'. For the 'fate' sense, 命运 (mìngyùn) is the more specific two-character word; 命 alone is broader and can also refer to 'life' or a 'command'. Unlike 下场 (xiàchǎng), which implies a negative outcome, 命's fate sense is neutral.

noun

lifefatedestinyordercommand

Easily confused

名míngsound-alikename
鸣míngsound-aliketo chirp, to cry (of birds, animals, insects); to make a sound (of a horn, bell, etc.)

Examples

命。
Rén de mìng zhǐ yǒu yí cì.
A person only has one life.
命，。
Wǒ bù xiāngxìn mìng, wǒ zhǐ xiāngxìn zìjǐ.
I don't believe in fate; I only believe in myself.
。
tā jiē dào le shàngjí de mìnglìng.
He received an order from his superiors.

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