What does kanji 命 mean?

The primary meaning of kanji 命 is fate.

How is kanji 命 read?

The kunyomi readings for kanji 命 are いのち; the onyomi readings are メイ, ミョウ.

Which school grade teaches kanji 命?

Kanji 命 is taught in Jōyō Grade 3.

What is the main radical of kanji 命?

The main radical for kanji 命 is 口.

What words use kanji 命?

Example words that use kanji 命 include 命, 命令, 命日, 命中.

JōyōJLPT N3Kanken 8

命

Meaning

Kanji 命

fate

fate, command, decree, destiny, life, appoint

Stroke Order

Readings

Kunyomi 訓読み: いのち
Onyomi 音読み: メイミョウ
Nanori 名乗り: -

Added to Jōyō: 1946

Jōyō: Grade 3
JLPT: JLPT N3
Frequency: #465
Strokes: 8
Radical: 口
Components: 一 • 个 • 卩 • 口
Kanji Kentei: Level 8
Similar Kanji: 含 • 吟 • 合 • 念 • 倉 • 亼 • 叩

Related vocabulary

36 common entries

Showing 36 of 475 entries that include this kanji.

命

いのち

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

命令

めいれい

(software) instruction

命日

めいにち

anniversary of a person's death

命中

めいちゅう

(direct) hit

命じる

めいじる

to appoint

命ずる

めいずる

to appoint

命がけ

いのちがけ

putting one's life on the line

命運

めいうん

fate

命題

めいだい

problem

命名

めいめい

naming

命取り

いのちとり

fatal

命綱

いのちづな

lifeline

View all words

Example sentences

5 reference sentences

命は何よりも大切だ。

Life is more precious than anything.

彼は医者に命を救われた。

His life was saved by a doctor.

それは命に関わる問題です。

That is a life-or-death matter.

彼女は運命を信じている。

She believes in destiny.

二人が出会ったのも命だ。

Their meeting too was fate.