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命
命
8 strokes
Frequency: 465
JLPT N2
Grade 3

Meanings

fate
command
decree
destiny
life
appoint

Readings

On — Chinese-derived reading, usually for compounds
メイ
ミョウ
Kun — Native Japanese reading, usually for standalone words
いのち

Common Words

命
いのち
Noun
Freq #657
1

Sometimes written as 生命

life; life force

Examples
その犬は少女の命を救った。
The dog saved the girl's life.
2

lifetime; lifespan

3

most important thing; foundation; core

4

Archaic

paired tattoos of the "life" kanji on the upper arms of a man and woman (indicating unwavering love)

5

Archaic

fate; destiny; karma

運命
うんめい
《 さだめ 》
Noun
～の Adj.
Freq #1136
1

fate; destiny; lot

Examples
私たちは二度と彼女に会えない運命だった。
We were never to see her again.
命令
めいれい
～する Verb
Noun
Transitive
Freq #1445
1

order; command; decree; directive

Examples
ケンは自分の犬に、そこで待つように命令した。
Ken told his dog to wait there.
2

Computing

(software) instruction; statement

命じる
めいじる
Transitive
Ichidan verb
Freq #2210
1

to order; to command

Examples
キャプテンは静かにするように命じた。
The captain commanded silence.
2

to appoint

一生懸命
いっしょうけんめい
～な Adj.
Adverb
Noun
四字熟語
Freq #2454
1

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

Examples
もっと一生懸命勉強すべきだったのに。
You should have worked harder.
生命
せいめい
Noun
Freq #2626
1

life; existence

Examples
生命はいつ誕生したのですか。
When did life come into being?
2

Noun, used as a suffix

(one's) working life; career

3

Occ. read いのち

life force; lifeblood; soul; essence

懸命
けんめい
～な Adj.
Noun
Freq #4414
1

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

Examples
父は私が懸命に働かなければならないと言った。
My father said that I must work hard.
使命
しめい
Noun
Freq #4574
1

mission; errand

Examples
彼らは使命を果たした。
They accomplished their mission.
2

task; duty; obligation

寿命
じゅみょう
Noun
Freq #5575
1

lifespan; life; lifetime

Examples
これらの発見のおかげで人間の寿命が以前の２倍になった。
Thanks to these discoveries, man's life span has become twice as long as before.
2

life (of a battery, lightbulb, etc.); service life; end of an object's (useful) life

Examples
作動温度が高いと、潤滑剤の寿命は短くなる。
High operating temperatures shorten lubricant life.
致命的
ちめいてき
～な Adj.
Freq #5704
1

fatal; lethal

Examples
そのスキャンダルは彼の政治的将来に致命的であった。
The scandal was fatal to his political future.
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