命 Kanji – fate
The Japanese kanji 命 can mean fate, command, decree, destiny, life, appoint.
Meaning and Readings
How is 命 read?
命 has the onyomi readings メイ, ミョウ and the kunyomi reading いのち.
In romaji, these readings can be written as mei, myou, inochi.
Common Japanese Words Using 命
These common Japanese words contain 命. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- 一生懸命（いっしょうけんめい） — very hard, with utmost effort, as hard as one can, with all one's might, for dear life, eagerly, desperately
- 運命（うんめい） — fate, destiny, lot
- 延命（えんめい） — keeping alive longer, prolonging life, life extension, life-support
- 革命（かくめい） — revolution
- 救命（きゅうめい） — lifesaving
- 懸命（けんめい） — eager, earnest, strenuous, fervent, assiduous, with utmost effort
- 使命（しめい） — mission, errand
- 寿命（じゅみょう） — lifespan, life, lifetime
- 宿命（しゅくめい） — fate, destiny, predestination
- 人命（じんめい） — (human) life