Definition

1. Noun:
   • Fate, destiny: The predetermined course of events in a person's life, often perceived as beyond their control.
   • Life, existence: One's life, especially in terms of its duration or vitality.
   • (Archaic) Command, order: An authoritative directive, often from a superior or sovereign.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Fate):
  • Số phận anh ấy thật bạc mệnh. (His fate is truly unfortunate.)
  • Cô ấy tin vào mệnh của mình. (She believes in her destiny.)
• Noun (Life):
  • Họ coi thường mệnh người. (They disregard human life.)
• Noun (Command - Archaic):
  • Quan vâng mệnh vua. (The official obeyed the king's command.)

Advanced Usage

• "bạc mệnh": ill-fated, having an unfortunate destiny (often used in classical literature).
  • Nhân vật ấy là một hình tượng bạc mệnh. (That character is an ill-fated archetype.)
• "mệnh lệnh": (compound word) command, order.
  • Người lính tuân theo mệnh lệnh. (The soldier followed the command.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mạng (n): A common synonym, especially for "life" or "fate" in colloquial speech.
  • Anh ấy thoát chết trong gang tấc, thật là mạng lớn. (He escaped death by a hair's breadth; he really has a great destiny/life.)
• Số mệnh (n): fate, destiny (a compound emphasizing predestination).
  • Số mệnh đã được an bài. (Fate has been arranged.)

Synonyms

• Fate: destiny, lot.
• Life: existence.
• Command: order, decree (archaic).

Related Idioms and Classical References

• "Hồng nhan bạc mệnh": A classical idiom meaning "a beautiful face but a tragic fate," describing someone whose beauty is coupled with misfortune.
  • Câu chuyện cổ điển thường kể về những mỹ nhân hồng nhan bạc mệnh. (Classical stories often tell of beauties with a tragic fate.)
• "Mệnh trời": the will of heaven, destiny as decreed by heaven.
  • Ông ấy cho rằng mọi chuyện đều do mệnh trời. (He believes everything is due to the will of heaven.)