命

Glyph origin
. Doublet of.

Etymology
Related to. Both may be derived from : “name” (名) > “to name; to give (a name to)” (命) > “to order; to command” > “order; command” > “destiny; fate; lot” > “life”.

Definitions

 * 1) life; existence; state of living
 * 2) lifespan; life expectancy
 * 3) destiny; fate; luck
 * 4) order; command; instruction
 * 5) to order; to command
 * 6) to give (a title, name to); to name

Etymology 1
From, from. Probably a compound of Old Japanese elements.

Some analyses describe this as a compound using as the initial semantic element. This is equally valid, as and  are cognates.

Noun

 * 1) life
 * 2) lifespan
 * 3) lifetime
 * 4) fate, destiny
 * 5)  the most important part or aspect of a thing
 * 1)  the most important part or aspect of a thing

Usage notes
命 as "life" is distinct from several other Japanese words that may also be translated to English as "life". In particular, it means "the state of being alive, an animating force, or life as a whole (from birth to death)". Compare the terms below, which may also be rendered as "life" in English:


 * : Day-to-day life as it is experienced; lifestyle; one's usual activities, habits, and routines.
 * : Action involved in staying alive, as in "signs of life".
 * : Biological life in general, particularly in scientific contexts.
 * : Being; either the state of existing or a thing that exists.
 * : A person's narrative, experience, and/or accomplishments from birth to death.
 * : Lifespan or life expectancy.
 * : A video-game life; a chance to play.
 * : Liveliness.

Etymology 2
From. Compound of. The mi prefix is generally limited to extremely high-status contexts such as gods or emperors.

Noun

 * 1) the words or pronouncements of a god or an emperor

Etymology 3
From. Originally a compound of.

Noun

 * 1) the honorable, the exalted
 * Used as a title after the referenced noun when referring to gods, emperors, or other high-status persons.
 * 夜知富許能 迦微能美許登波
 * 八千矛の神の命は
 * やちほこのかみのみことは
 * Yachihoko no kami no mikoto wa
 * the honorable god Yachihoko
 * 波々蘇婆能 波々能美許等波
 * 柞葉の母の命は
 * ははそばのははのみことは
 * hahasoba no haha no mikoto wa
 * the exalted mother of the oak leaf
 * 1) the beloved, dearly beloved
 * Similarly used as a title after the referenced noun.
 * 和加久佐能　都麻能美許登
 * 若草の妻の命
 * わかくさのつまのみこと
 * Wakakusa no tsuma no mikoto
 * dearly beloved young wife
 * わかくさのつまのみこと
 * Wakakusa no tsuma no mikoto
 * dearly beloved young wife

Pronoun

 * 1) you
 * 2) that person

Usage notes
Used ironically from the late, expressing a sense of mild derision or ridicule.

Etymology 4
From. Compare modern 🇨🇬.

Noun

 * 1) fate, destiny
 * 2) life, lifespan
 * 3) order, command

Etymology 1
From, from.

Noun

 * 1) life

Noun

 * 1)  life