• 使命しめい — mission, duty
• 命令めいれい — order, command
• 寿命じゅみょう — lifespan
• 生命せいめい — life, existence
• 運命うんめい — fate, destiny

More examples ▼

命 means “life,” but also carries deep nuance as “fate,” “destiny,” or even “command.” The radical 口 (mouth) links to the idea of issuing orders, while the overall kanji also conveys the value and fragility of life. It's a powerful symbol often seen in spiritual, medical, or legal contexts.

彼かれは 命いのちを救すくわれた。
His life was saved.

上司じょうしの命令めいれいに従したがいます。
I will follow my boss’s command.