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命
命 (readings: めい, みょう, いのち; Japanese kanji) means “life / command”. It is a Grade 3 Kyōiku kanji, taught in year 3 of Japanese elementary school, and appears in words such as 生命 (life).
What does 命 mean?
| Kanji | 命 |
|---|---|
| Meaning | life / command |
| Readings | めい, みょう, いのち |
| Grade | Grade 3 (Medium) |
| Curriculum | Kyōiku kanji · Japanese elementary school |
How to read 命
命 is read めい or みょう or いのち depending on the word.
Example words with 命
| Example | 生命 (life) |
|---|
Practice writing 命 — free
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Updated: 2026-07-14