How common it is
命 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say mìng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
命表示生命，也可表示命运。
mìng biǎo shì shēng mìng， yě kě biǎo shì mìng yùn。
命 means life or fate.
Context note
命常用于生命、运气和书面语。
mìng cháng yòng yú shēng mìng 、 yùn qì hé shū miàn yǔ。
It is often used with life, fate, and written language.
5 examples
生命很重要。
shēng mìng hěn zhòng yào。
Life is very important.
他很珍惜自己的命。
tā hěn zhēn xī zì jǐ de mìng。
He cherishes his life.
命运有时很难说。
mìng yùn yǒu shí hěn nán shuō。
Fate is sometimes hard to tell.
大家都想保命。
dà jiā dōu xiǎng bǎo mìng。
Everyone wants to stay alive.
这是天命。
zhè shì tiān mìng。
This is destiny.
5 mini stories
老师说，命只有一次，要珍惜。
lǎo shī shuō， mìng zhǐ yǒu yí cì， yào zhēn xī。
The teacher said life only comes once, so cherish it.
他把命看得很重。
tā bǎ mìng kàn dé hěn zhòng。
He values life very much.
命运不是完全一样的。
mìng yùn bú shì wán quán yí yàng de。
Fate is not exactly the same for everyone.
遇到危险时，要先保命。
yù dào wēi xiǎn shí， yào xiān bǎo mìng。
When in danger, first protect your life.
他说，这也许是命。
tā shuō， zhè yě xǔ shì mìng。
He said, perhaps this is fate.