命
JLPT N3
Life, fate
Readings
On’yomi: メイ, ミョウ (mei, myō)
Kun’yomi: いのち (inochi)
• いのち – life
Structure
Composition:
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Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
命
いのち
life
生命
せいめい
life force
運命
うんめい
fate
命令
めいれい
order
一命
いちめい
one's life
Example Sentences
命が大切です。
いのち が たいせつ です。
Life is important.
生命を守ります。
せいめい を まもります。
We protect life.
運命を信じます。
うんめい を しんじます。
I believe in fate.
命令に従います。
めいれい に したがいます。
I follow orders.
一命を取り留めます。
いちめい を とりとめます。
He barely survived.
Cultural Note
🌸 命 (life) is deeply sacred in Japanese culture.
It represents both biological life and the spiritual essence connecting humans to the universe.
Common idioms and beliefs include:
• 命を懸ける (いのち を かける) – to risk one’s life for something meaningful.
• 命の恩人 (いのち の おんじん) – “savior of my life.”
• 天命 (てんめい) – destiny or divine decree, from Confucian and Buddhist thought.
In Japanese philosophy, life (命) is seen not just as existence, but as a gift from nature and the heavens, carrying both purpose (使命) and impermanence (無常).
It represents both biological life and the spiritual essence connecting humans to the universe.
Common idioms and beliefs include:
• 命を懸ける (いのち を かける) – to risk one’s life for something meaningful.
• 命の恩人 (いのち の おんじん) – “savior of my life.”
• 天命 (てんめい) – destiny or divine decree, from Confucian and Buddhist thought.
In Japanese philosophy, life (命) is seen not just as existence, but as a gift from nature and the heavens, carrying both purpose (使命) and impermanence (無常).