命
life
At a glance · 命
Evolution of the glyph
Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.
「命」从口令，金文从令加口，会口出令以命人。
What the sketch shows
Origins & notes
「命」本义为命令，引申生命、命运。
Structure
从口、从令，会意兼形声，令亦表音，指上施下受之辞。
At a glance
Pinyinmìng
Radical口
Strokes8
UnicodeU+547D
Character type会意
Theme人伦
Six languages, one character
Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.
English
life
life; destiny, fate, luck; an order, instruction
Français
vie / ordre
Vie, destin, ordre. «忠则尽命» : offrir sa vie.
Español
vida / orden
Vida, destino, orden. «忠则尽命»: ofrecer la vida.
العربية
حياة / أمر
حياة، قدر، أمر. «忠则尽命»: تقديم الروح.
Русский
жизнь / приказ
Жизнь, судьба, приказ. «忠则尽命»: отдать жизнь.
Common words
- 生命shēng mìnglife
- 命令mìng lìngorder