Chinese word

使命

Pronunciation

Pinyinshǐ mìng

Meaning

  • nounmission

Example

我觉得我的使命是帮助别人。wǒ jué de wǒ de shǐ mìng shì bāng zhù bié rén

I feel that my mission is to help others.

Illustration for 使命 (mission)

More examples

作为医生，他一直努力履行自己的使命。zuò wéi yī shēng tā yì zhí nǔ lì lǚ xíng zì jǐ de shǐ mìng

As a doctor, he has always worked hard to fulfill his mission.

Core concept

A serious task that gives a person or organization a sense of duty and direction.

Common phrases

  • 肩负使命jiān fù shǐ mìng

    take on a mission

  • 履行使命lǚ xíng shǐ mìng

    fulfill a mission

  • 完成使命wán chéng shǐ mìng

    accomplish a mission

Similar words

任务rèn wù: A specific task assigned to a person or group for completion.
责任zé rèn: A duty or obligation that a person is expected to fulfill toward others or society.
工作gōng zuò: The regular work or duties carried out each day, especially as part of a job.
职责zhí zé: The duties and responsibility assigned to a person because of a particular role.

Definition in Chinese

组织或个人被委以必须完成的重要任务或职责，语气较正式，常用于强调责任感或使命感。zǔ zhī huò gè rén bèi wéi yǐ bì xū wán chéng de zhòng yào rèn wù huò zhí zé yǔ qì jiào zhèng shì cháng yòng yú qiáng diào zé rèn gǎn huò shǐ mìng gǎn

Word origin

使命 (shǐmìng, "mission") combines 使 (shǐ, "to send or assign") and 命 (mìng, "command"), giving the sense of an important task entrusted to someone.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word sounds formal and weighty, so it fits speeches, writing, and statements of purpose more naturally than casual talk about routine tasks.

Opposites

  • 私心sī xīnself-interestnoun
  • 享乐主义xiǎng lè zhǔ yìpleasure-seekingnoun

Related words

  • 使命感shǐ mìng gǎnsense of missionnoun

Word lists with this word