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March 24, 2026
要命yàomìng(yao4ming4)
要命 (yàomìng) is a versatile expression in Mandarin that conveys a sense of something being extremely intense or serious, often to the point of being overwhelming or annoying. It can be used in both serious contexts, such as life-threatening situations, and informal contexts to describe something that's incredibly bothersome or frustrating.
Frequency#6048DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings about danger or annoyance with vivid phrases like 要命 reflects the emphasis on emotional expression in everyday life. It's often used in casual conversations to bond over shared frustrations.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dramatic scene where someone is so scared that it feels like their life is at stake (要命). The character 要 (yào) can remind you of 'want' or 'need,' and 命 (mìng) means 'life'—together, they evoke the intensity of wanting to escape a life-threatening situation.
Meanings of 要命
yàomìng(yao4ming4)
1to cause sb's death
2very
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About 要命
要命Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6048Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 要命
Podcast: 要命
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AI Study Notes for 要命
Quick Contrast
要命 (yàomìng) vs 要死 (yàosǐ): use 要命 for expressions of extreme intensity or annoyance, while 要死 emphasizes a sense of extreme frustration or exasperation.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dramatic scene where someone is so scared that it feels like their life is at stake (要命). The character 要 (yào) can remind you of 'want' or 'need,' and 命 (mìng) means 'life'—together, they evoke the intensity of wanting to escape a life-threatening situation.
Usage Notes
要命 can be used in informal conversations to express annoyance, e.g., '这个问题要命' (this problem is driving me crazy). Be cautious with the tone; using it in overly serious contexts can sound exaggerated or disrespectful. Common collocations include 要命的事 (life-threatening matter) and 要命的天热 (extremely hot weather).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 要命 connects to other expressions of intensity and emotional response, such as 非常 (very) or 太 (too). Students should practice using it in varied sentences to understand its flexibility in meaning.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings about danger or annoyance with vivid phrases like 要命 reflects the emphasis on emotional expression in everyday life. It's often used in casual conversations to bond over shared frustrations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 要命 in formal contexts or with a positive connotation, leading to confusion. For example, saying '这个电影要命' (this movie is life-threatening) instead of using it for something annoying or bad is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 要命
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Grammar Patterns of 要命
要命 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 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.
Mischievous little beggars they are, both of them, but talk about keenness!
Cultural Notes for 要命
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing feelings about danger or annoyance with vivid phrases like 要命 reflects the emphasis on emotional expression in everyday life. It's often used in casual conversations to bond over shared frustrations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 要命
No, 要命 typically conveys a negative intensity, so it's not suitable for positive situations.
要命 is informal and best used in casual conversations.
Make sure to stress the fourth tones: yào (要) and mìng (命) for clarity.
