受命

shòumìng

verb #16,997

Meanings

1 to receive a mandate; to be appointed to a post
2 to accept orders; to be commissioned

Characters

to receive; to accept; to endure

command; order; fate; life

Examples

他受命前往灾区指挥救援。

Tā shòumìng qiánwǎng zāiqū zhǐhuī jiùyuán.

He was commissioned to go to the disaster area and direct the rescue.

将军受命于危难之际。

Jiāngjūn shòumìng yú wēinàn zhījì.

The general received his mandate at a time of crisis.

Tips

culture

受命于天 means 'to receive the mandate of heaven' - the ancient Chinese concept that imperial authority was divinely granted. 临危受命 is a common idiom meaning 'to take charge in a crisis'.

Stroke Order

受 shòu

命 mìng