使命

Meaning of 使命

使命 (shǐmìng) is a mission or calling — 使 (to assign, to send) and 命 (fate, life). A purpose one is charged with fulfilling, whether by destiny or by choice.

To say Purpose in Chinese, pronounce 使命 as Shǐ mìng. The marks over the letters show the tones — the pitch contour that distinguishes Mandarin syllables.