天命 (tiān mìng) — (noun) the mandate of heaven (political theory justifying a ruler's authority); (noun) destiny, fate; (noun) one's natural lifespan
Definition
A classical noun blending 'heaven' and 'fate' — used in political theory as 'the Mandate of Heaven' justifying a ruler's right to rule, and in personal contexts as destiny or one's allotted lifespan.
noun
the mandate of heaven (political theory justifying a ruler's authority)destinyfateone's natural lifespan
Examples
- 天命。Gǔ dài dì wáng cháng yǐ tiān mìng lái zhèng míng zì jǐ de tǒng zhì hé fǎ.Ancient emperors often used the mandate of heaven to justify their rule as legitimate.
- 天命，。Tā jué de zì jǐ de rén shēng shì tiān mìng ān pái hǎo de, wú fǎ gǎi biàn.He feels his life is arranged by fate and cannot be changed.
- 天命，。Lǎo rén shuō zì jǐ de tiān mìng yǐ jìn, gāi qù péi lǎo bàn le.The old man said his allotted lifespan was over and it was time to join his spouse.
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