Kanji N3

命: fate, command, decree

命 is a JLPT N3 kanji meaning fate, command, decree, written with 8 strokes. It is read メイ, ミョウ (on) and いのち (kun). Children in Japan learn it in grade 3. You will see it in 生命 (せいめい, life) and 命 (いのち, life).

命

Meanings

  • fate
  • command
  • decree
  • destiny
  • life
  • appoint
Strokes8
JLPT levelN3
School gradeGrade 3
Frequency#465 of 2,500

On reading · Kun reading

On reading
  • メイ
  • ミョウ

On'yomi: from Chinese, written in katakana. Used in compound words.

Kun reading
  • いのち

Kun'yomi: native Japanese, in hiragana. The faint part is the okurigana, written in kana after the kanji.

Watch the stroke order

Every stroke in order, the live one in vermilion. Replay as often as you like.

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Now draw it

Trace each stroke in order. Wrong direction or wrong order gets flagged right away.

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Your turn: draw stroke 1 of 8. Start at the dot.

Common words with 命

The most useful words written with it, easiest first. Every other kanji in them opens its own page.

  • 生命せいめい

    life; existence

    JLPT N3
  • 命いのち

    life; life force

    JLPT N3
  • 命令めいれい

    order; command; decree; directive

    JLPT N3
  • 命じるめいじる

    to order; to command

    JLPT N3
  • 一生懸命いっしょうけんめい

    very hard; with utmost effort

    JLPT N4
  • 革命かくめい

    revolution

    JLPT N1
  • 運命うんめい

    fate; destiny; lot

    JLPT N1
  • 使命しめい

    mission; errand

    JLPT N1

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Stroke order from KanjiVG © Ulrich Apel, CC BY-SA 3.0. Readings, meanings and words from KANJIDIC2 and JMdict, names from JMnedict, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA 4.0, and Wikidata, CC0. JLPT lists after Jonathan Waller (tanos.co.uk), CC BY.