will of Heaven; destiny; fate
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesnoun
the will of Heaven; destiny; fate as determined by Heaven
formalIn traditional Chinese philosophy and religion, this refers to the predetermined course of events ordained by a higher power. Historically, emperors claimed to rule by the 'Mandate of Heaven' (天命). The term also appears in everyday expressions such as '尽人事，听天命' (do one's best and leave the rest to destiny).
Jìn尽
rén人
shì事
，
tīng听
tiān天
mìng命
。
Do your best and leave the rest to destiny.
Gǔ古
dài代
dì帝
wáng王
zì自
chēng称
chéng承
tiān天
mìng命
ér而
tǒng统
zhì治
tiān天
xià下
。
Ancient emperors claimed to rule the world by the Mandate of Heaven.
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Tā他
xiāng相
xìn信
yī一
qiè切
dōu都
shì是
tiān天
mìng命
，
wú无
fǎ法
gǎi改
biàn变
。
He believes everything is predestined by Heaven and cannot be changed.
Wǔ五
shí十
ér而
zhī知
tiān天
mìng命
。
At fifty, I knew the mandate of Heaven.