命
appoint, command, decree, destiny, fate, life

Readings

On'yomi (音読み)

ミョウメイ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

いのち

Stroke Order

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Information

Grade:3
Strokes:8
JLPT:3
Frequency:465

Vocabulary

ミョウ

WordReadingMeaning
延命エンミョウkeeping alive longer; prolonging life; life extension; life-support
寿命ジュミョウlifespan; life; lifetime; life (of a battery, lightbulb, etc.); service life; end of an object's (useful) life
平均寿命ヘイキンジュミョウlife expectancy (at birth); average life span; mean lifetime
身命シンミョウone's life
延命息災エンミョウソクサイhealth and longevity; enjoying a long and healthy life being untouched by disaster

メイ

WordReadingMeaning
運命ウンメイfate; destiny; lot
延命エンメイkeeping alive longer; prolonging life; life extension; life-support
革命カクメイrevolution; 58th year of the sexagenary cycle (in Onmyōdō)
救命キュウメイlifesaving
懸命ケンメイeager; earnest; strenuous; fervent; assiduous; with utmost effort

Other

WordReadingMeaning
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
運命さだめfate; destiny; lot
命いのちlife; life force; lifetime; lifespan; most important thing; foundation; core; paired tattoos of the "life" kanji on the upper arms of a man and woman (indicating unwavering love); fate; destiny; karma
命じるめいじるto order; to command; to appoint
命ずるめいずるto order; to command; to appoint

Visually Similar Kanji

These kanji are easily confused due to similar shapes

合
0.1, fit, join, suit
Grade 2JLPT 3
印
India, emblem, evidence, imprint, mark, seal, souvenir, stamp, symbol, trademark
Grade 4JLPT 2
含
bear in mind, cherish, contain, hold in the mouth, include, understand
Grade 8JLPT 2
使
ambassador, cause, envoy, messenger, order, send on a mission, use
Grade 3JLPT 4
仲
go-between, relationship
Grade 4JLPT 2
何
what
Grade 2JLPT 5
后
after, back, behind, empress, later, queen
Grade 6JLPT 1
右
right
Grade 1JLPT 5
倹
economy, frugal, thrifty
Grade 8JLPT 1
剣
blade, clock hand, sabre, sword
Grade 8JLPT 1