How many strokes does the Chinese character "命" (mìng) have?
"命" has 8 strokes in Simplified Chinese. Its primary dictionary radical is 口, and you can animate or practice writing every stroke in order using the interactive grid on this page.
Ready · 8 strokes
Speed:
Life, Destiny & Blessings
Name: Use with Caution
Tattoo: Caution Alone
命 Destiny in Chinese (mìng)
Dictionary Summary
命 (mìng) means life; fate; order or command. Simplified form has 8 strokes under radical 口.
Pinyin & Tonemìng (Tone 4)
Simplified / Trad.命 / 命
Radical口
Total Strokes8 strokes
StructureTop-Right Wrap (令 + 口)
Unicode / LevelU+547D · HSK 3
Native Naming & Tattoo Safety Review
🪪 Using “命” in a Chinese Name · Use with Caution (Neutral / Surname)
Never put 命 inside a Chinese personal name! In colloquial Chinese, 命 sounds heavy or fateful (like 'life-or-death' 要命 or 苦命).
✒️ Using “命” for a Tattoo · Caution Alone
⚠️ Caution! Standalone 命 looks morbid or abrupt to Chinese speakers—it literally evokes 'life/lifespan' or 'command'. Use 天命 (mandate of heaven) or 知命 instead, or choose 缘 (fate/serendipity) for romantic destiny!
Character Etymology & CC-CEDICT Meanings
Origin & Visual Logic: Mouth issuing a decree (口/令) to a kneeling figure: a solemn decree or life's allotted course.
| Traditional / Simplified | Pinyin | CC-CEDICT Definitions |
|---|---|---|
| 命 / 命 | mìng | life; fate; order or command |
Lexical entries derived from CC-CEDICT (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Make Me a Hanzi (APL / LGPL-3.0).
Common Words & Idioms Using “命”
| Chinese Word | Pinyin | English Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 命运 | mìngyùn | destiny and fate | |
| 生命 | shēngmìng | life | |
| 使命 | shǐmìng | mission and calling |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is "命" good to use in a real Chinese name?
Rating: Use with Caution (Neutral / Surname). Never put 命 inside a Chinese personal name! In colloquial Chinese, 命 sounds heavy or fateful (like 'life-or-death' 要命 or 苦命).
Is "命" safe as a Chinese character tattoo?
Tattoo rating: Caution Alone. ⚠️ Caution! Standalone 命 looks morbid or abrupt to Chinese speakers—it literally evokes 'life/lifespan' or 'command'. Use 天命 (mandate of heaven) or 知命 instead, or choose 缘 (fate/serendipity) for romantic destiny!