How to Write 命 (fate, command, decree, destiny, life) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 8-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) character 命 (“fate, command, decree, destiny, life”), indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Practice 命 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 命 (いのち (inochi) — fate).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (命)
Primary Radical (部首): 口 — くち (mouth)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Mouth, speaking, eating, openings, and vocalization
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生) (JLPT N3). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メイ, ミョウ) when 命 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いのち) when 命 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (8画): Written with 8 strokes, 命 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 口 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
口 (meaning) + 令 (sound レイ)
Derived from the meaning radical 口 (くち (mouth)) and the phonetic component 令, giving the on-reading レイ.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 命
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 命 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 命 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 命 ("fate, command, decree, destiny, life") is written with 8 strokes (8画) as a JLPT N3 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 3 (小学3年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical. Written with 8 strokes, 命 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 口 (くち (mouth)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position). Establish the 口 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 6 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 命?
For 命 (JLPT N3), the Onyomi is メイ, ミョウ and the Kunyomi is いのち. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (メイ, ミョウ) when 命 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いのち) when 命 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 命 includes 命 (いのち (inochi) — fate).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 命 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 8 strokes of 命 (fate, command, decree, destiny, life), start with the 口 (くち (mouth)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 命 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N3 Characters to Practice Next
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