What is the Kanji for "Command" and "Life"?
If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Command" and "Life", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for "Command" and "Life" is "命".
This kanji has 3 readings:
Its kunyomi reading is "Inochi".
Its onyomi readings are "Mei" and "Myou".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The kanji "令" means "Orders" and can be read as "Rei". And The kanji "口" means "Mouth" and can be read as "Ku", "Kuchi" and "Kou".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "命" mean in japanese?
"命" means "Command" and "Life" .
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N3 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
命: "Life". The Japanese noun '命 (いのち)' means 'life'. It refers to the existence of a living being, encompassing both the physical and spiritual aspects of life. This word is often used in contexts that emphasize the preciousness or fragility of life. For example: Life is precious「命は大切だ」(いのちはたいせつだ). He risked his life to save the child「彼は子供を救うために命をかけた」(かれはこどもをすくうためにいのちをかけた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is essential or vital to existence, such as 'the life of a project' or 'the life of a community'.
生命: "Life". The Japanese noun '生命 (せいめい)' refers to 'life' in the sense of living existence, vitality, or the essence of being alive. It is often used in contexts related to biology, philosophy, or spirituality. For example: Life is precious「生命は大切です」(せいめいはたいせつです). The origin of life is a mystery「生命の起源は謎です」(せいめいのきげんはなぞです). This word carries a profound and somewhat formal tone, distinguishing it from more casual terms like '命 (いのち)', which also means 'life' but is used in everyday contexts.
命令: "Order". The Japanese verbal noun '命令 (めいれい)' means 'order' or 'command'. It is used to describe an authoritative directive given by someone in a position of authority, such as a boss, teacher, or military officer. This term is often used in formal or hierarchical contexts. For example: The boss gave an order「上司が命令を出した」(じょうしがめいれいをだした). The soldier followed the command「兵士は命令に従った」(へいしはめいれいにしたがった). It can also be used in legal or technical contexts, such as in programming, where it refers to a command given to a computer. For example: Execute the command「命令を実行しなさい」(めいれいをじっこうしなさい).
革命: "Revolution". The Japanese noun '革命 (かくめい)' means 'revolution'. It refers to a fundamental and often sudden change in political power or organizational structures, typically brought about by the governed population. It can also refer to a dramatic and wide-reaching change in conditions, attitudes, or operations. For example: The industrial revolution changed society「産業革命は社会を変えた」(さんぎょうかくめいわしゃかいをかえた). The revolution brought freedom to the people「革命は人々に自由をもたらした」(かくめいわひとびとにじゆうをもたらした). This term is often used in historical, political, and technological contexts to denote significant transformations.
一生懸命: "Hard" or "Earnestly". The Japanese adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard' or 'earnestly'. It is used to describe doing something with great effort, determination, or seriousness. This word often conveys a sense of giving one's all or putting in maximum effort. For example: I studied hard for the exam「試験のために一生懸命勉強した」(しけんのためにいっしょうけんめいべんきょうした). She worked earnestly to achieve her dream「彼女は夢を叶えるために一生懸命働いた」(かのじょはゆめをかなえるためにいっしょうけんめいはたらいた). The word can also be used to describe physical effort, such as running hard「一生懸命走った」(いっしょうけんめいはしった). Note that while 'hard' is a common translation, the nuance of '一生懸命' often includes a sense of sincerity and dedication.
命ずる: "Command". The Japanese verb '命ずる (めいずる)' means 'to command' or 'to order'. It is a formal and authoritative term used when someone in a position of authority issues a directive or instruction. This verb is often used in official, military, or hierarchical contexts. For example: The general commanded the soldiers to advance「将軍は兵士たちに進撃を命じた」(しょうぐんはへいしたちにしんげきをめいじた). The teacher ordered the students to be quiet「先生は生徒たちに静かにするよう命じた」(せんせいはせいとたちにしずかにするようめいじた). Note that '命ずる' is less commonly used in casual conversation and is typically replaced by simpler verbs like '言う (いう)' or '指示する (しじする)' in everyday speech.
懸命: "Earnest". The Japanese adjectival noun '懸命 (けんめい)' means 'earnest' or 'doing one's utmost'. It describes a state of putting in great effort or being very serious about something. This term is often used to commend someone's dedication or hard work. For example: He is earnest in his studies「彼は勉強に懸命だ」(かれはべんきょうにけんめいだ). She worked hard to achieve her goal「彼女は目標を達成するために懸命に働いた」(かのじょはもくひょうをたっせいするためにけんめいにはたらいた). The word can also imply a sense of desperation or urgency in certain contexts, highlighting the intensity of the effort being made.
運命: "Fate". The Japanese noun '運命 (うんめい)' means 'fate' or 'destiny'. It refers to the predetermined course of events in a person's life, often beyond their control. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversations and literary contexts to express the idea of an inevitable outcome. For example: it was fate that we met「私たちが出会ったのは運命だった」(わたしたちがであったのはうんめいだった). He believes in fate「彼は運命を信じている」(かれはうんめいをしんじている). The word can also carry a sense of inevitability or predestination, often used in philosophical or romantic contexts.
寿命: "Lifespan". The Japanese noun '寿命 (じゅみょう)' refers to the length of time that a living being, object, or system is expected to live or function. It is commonly used in contexts discussing the natural life expectancy of humans, animals, or even the durability of machines and technology. For example: The lifespan of a cat is about 15 years「猫の寿命は約15年です」(ねこのじゅみょうはやく15ねんです). This smartphone has a short lifespan「このスマートフォンは寿命が短い」(このスマートフォンはじゅみょうがみじかい). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe the 'life' of non-living things, such as the lifespan of a product or trend.
任命: "Appointment". The Japanese noun '任命 (にんめい)' refers to the act of appointing someone to a position or role. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as in business, government, or organizational settings. For example: The president announced the appointment of a new minister「社長は新しい部長の任命を発表した」(しゃちょうはあたらしいぶちょうのにんめいをはっぴょうした). His appointment as CEO was unexpected「彼のCEOへの任命は予想外だった」(かれのCEOへのにんめいはよそうがいだった). The word carries a formal tone and is often used in official announcements or documents.
使命: "Mission". The Japanese noun '使命 (しめい)' means 'mission'. This word is used to describe a task or duty that one is assigned or feels compelled to complete, often with a sense of importance or destiny. It can be used in various contexts, such as professional, personal, or even spiritual missions. For example: He felt it was his mission to help others「彼は人を助けることが自分の使命だと思った」(かれはひとをたすけることがじぶんのしめいだとおもった). The company's mission is to innovate「その会社の使命は革新することだ」(そのかいしゃのしめいはかくしんすることだ). This word carries a strong sense of responsibility and purpose.
命じる: "Order". The Japanese verb '命じる (めいじる)' means 'to order' or 'to command'. It is used when someone in a position of authority gives a directive or instruction to someone else. This verb often implies a formal or authoritative context, such as in military, workplace, or hierarchical settings. For example: The general ordered the soldiers to advance「将軍は兵士たちに前進するよう命じた」(しょうぐんはへいしたちにぜんしんするようめいじた). The boss commanded the employees to finish the report by tomorrow「上司は従業員に明日までにレポートを終えるよう命じた」(じょうしはじゅうぎょういにんにあしたまでにレポートをおえるようめいじた). Note that '命じる' carries a strong sense of authority and is not typically used in casual or informal situations.
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "め" is read as "me". The hiragana "い" is read as "i". The hiragana "み" is read as "mi". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "の" is read as "no". And The hiragana "ち" is read as "chi".
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