效命

xiàomìng

verb #27,156

Meanings

1 to dedicate one's life to
2 to serve at the cost of one's life
3 to give one's all for

Characters

to render service; to imitate; effect

life; destiny; order

Examples

HSK 2

他愿意为国家效命。

Tā yuànyì wèi guójiā xiàomìng.

He is willing to dedicate his life to the country.

HSK 7-9

将士们誓死效命疆场。

Jiàngshì men shìsǐ xiàomìng jiāngchǎng.

The soldiers pledged to give their lives on the battlefield.

Tips

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效命 is a formal, literary term with a military or patriotic flavor. In modern usage it may appear in dramatic or historical contexts.

Stroke Order

效 xiào

命 mìng