Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
命运 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
命运mìngyùnfateHSK 5, n, rank #1643, Medium
命运mìngyùndestinyHSK 5, n, rank #1643, Medium
命运mìngyùn>个[gè]HSK 5, n, rank #1643, Medium
mìngyùn(ming4yun4) T4
  1. 1fate
  2. 2destiny
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
命运(命運)mìngyùn(ming4yun4)

命运 (mìngyùn) refers to the concept of fate or destiny, often implying a predetermined course of events in a person's life. It is commonly used in both philosophical discussions and everyday conversations about life circumstances, choices, and the forces that shape our future.

Frequency#1643DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 命运 is often linked to traditional beliefs such as feng shui and astrology, where one's destiny is thought to be influenced by cosmic forces and one's birth circumstances.

Memory Tip

Think of 命 (mìng) as 'life' and 运 (yùn) as 'movement'—together they convey the idea that life is a journey directed by unseen forces. Imagine a river (运) flowing along a predetermined path (命), symbolizing how our destinies unfold.

Meanings of 命运

mìngyùn(ming4yun4)
1fate
2destiny
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 命运

命运Simplified
命運Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1643Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 命运

JasonAmy

Podcast: 命运

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 命运

Quick Contrast

宿命 (sùmìng) - use 命运 (mìngyùn) when discussing a broader concept of fate that includes personal agency, while 宿命 (sùmìng) often implies a more rigid, unavoidable destiny.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 命 (mìng) as 'life' and 运 (yùn) as 'movement'—together they convey the idea that life is a journey directed by unseen forces. Imagine a river (运) flowing along a predetermined path (命), symbolizing how our destinies unfold.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 命运 with other terms that convey choice or free will, as it specifically suggests an unavoidable fate. It's used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in discussions about philosophy or personal reflections.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 命运 connects with other concepts related to life and existence, such as 生活 (shēnghuó, life) and 选择 (xuǎnzé, choice). Focus on its usage in sentences and idioms to understand how it fits into broader discussions about life.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 命运 is often linked to traditional beliefs such as feng shui and astrology, where one's destiny is thought to be influenced by cosmic forces and one's birth circumstances.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 命运 with 运气 (yùnqì, luck), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我的命运很好' (My fate is good) instead of '我的运气很好' (My luck is good) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 命运

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 命运 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

命mìnglife
HSK 58 strokes口
View full entry
运yùnto move
HSK 57 strokes辶
View full entry

Write 命运

命
运

Practice writing 命运 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 命运

命运 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

总而言之，教育是改变____的关键。

All in all, education is the key to changing one's destiny.

Example Sentences for 命运 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
面对遭征服的悲惨命运，他们保持了乐观的态度。

miàn duì zāo zhēng fú de bēi cǎn mìng yùn， ， tā mén bǎo chí le lè guān de tài。

They have maintained their optimism in the face of desolating subjugation.
2
命运已经决定了他们的性格为人。

mìng yùn yǐ jīng jué dìng le tā mén de xìng gé wéi rén。

Destiny has ordained that they are who they are.
3
他们这些老人将他的命运掌握在手心里。

tā mén zhè xiē lǎo rén jiāng tā de mìng yùn zhǎng wò zài shǒu xīn lǐ。

They held his fate in the palms of their ancient hands.
4
从出生的那一刻起，王子的命运就已经被预先决定了。

cóng chū shēng de nà yī kè qǐ， ， wáng zǐ de mìng yùn jiù yǐ jīng bèi yù xiān jué dìng。

The Prince's destiny was predetermined from the moment of his birth.
5
您知道，会有那么一些人，因为命运捉弄而落得无家可归。

nín zhī dào， ， huì yǒu nà mó yī xiē， rén ， yīn wéi mìng yùn zhuō nòng ér luò dé wú jiā。

There are those, you know, who, by circumstance, end up homeless.
6
她经常跳舞的赌场遭遇了相似的命运。

tā jīng cháng tiào wǔ de dǔ cháng zāo yù le xiāng sì de mìng yùn。

The Casino, where she had often danced, had suffered a similar fate.
7
她感到对自己的命运多少接受一些了。

tā gǎn dào duì zì jǐ de mìng yùn duō shǎo jiē shòu yī xiē le。

She felt a little more reconciled to her lot.
8
谁都知道他们无法摆脱在那里失败的命运.

shuí dū zhī dào tā mén wú fǎ bǎi tuō zài nà lǐ shī bài de mìng yùn.

Everybody knew they could not save themselves from defeat there.
9
雇主削减成本的时候，数千名银行雇员面临被解雇的命运。

gù zhǔ xiāo jiǎn chéng běn de shí hòu， ， shù qiān míng yín háng gù yuán miàn lín bèi jiě gù de mìng。

Thousands of bank employees are facing redundancy as their employers cut costs.
10
这支球队目前几乎肯定要面临降级的命运。

zhè zhī qiú duì mù qián jī hū kěn dìng yào miàn lín jiàng jí de mìng yùn。

The team now almost certainly faces demotion.
11
在这个充满变数的世界里，人们常常感叹命运的不可预测性。

Zài zhège chōngmǎn biànshù de shìjiè lǐ, rénmen chángcháng gǎntàn mìngyùn de bùkě yùcè xìng.

In this world full of uncertainties, people often lament the unpredictability of fate.
12
她的命运似乎总是被他人所左右，但她从未放弃过自己的梦想。

Tā de mìngyùn sìhū zǒng shì bèi tārén suǒ zuǒyòu, dàn tā cóngwèi fàngqì guò zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.

Her fate always seemed to be controlled by others, but she never gave up on her dreams.
13
命运有时就像一场不可预测的旅程，每一步都充满了未知。

Mìngyùn yǒushí jiù xiàng yī chǎng bù kě yùcè de lǚchéng, měi yī bù dōu chōngmǎnle wèizhī.

Fate is sometimes like an unpredictable journey, with every step full of the unknown.
14
即便命运多舛，他依然相信努力能改变未来。

Jíbiàn mìngyùn duō chuǎn, tā yīrán xiāngxìn nǔlì néng gǎibiàn wèilái.

Even though fate has been unkind, he still believes that hard work can change the future.

Cultural Notes for 命运

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of 命运 is often linked to traditional beliefs such as feng shui and astrology, where one's destiny is thought to be influenced by cosmic forces and one's birth circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions about 命运

You can say, '我相信命运会引导我走向正确的道路' (I believe that fate will guide me on the right path).