使命

しめい

mission, errand, message

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding 使命

The word 使命 (shǐmìng) primarily means 'mission' or 'task' and often implies a sense of responsibility or duty. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe important assignments or roles that someone is entrusted with.

Usage in Sentences

  1. It can describe a personal or organizational duty, such as helping others or completing a project.
  2. It often carries a serious or formal tone, emphasizing the importance of the task.
  3. Sometimes it refers to secret or special assignments, especially in official or military contexts.

Common Collocations

  • 执行使命 (zhíxíng shǐmìng): to carry out a mission
  • 重要使命 (zhòngyào shǐmìng): important mission
  • 使命感 (shǐmìng gǎn): sense of mission or responsibility

Tips

  • 使命 is more formal and weighty than just 'task' (任务). It often implies a moral or significant responsibility.
  • Avoid confusing 使命 with 任务; 任务 can be any task, while 使命 usually has a higher purpose or calling.
  • In conversation, 使命 is often used to express dedication or a calling, not casual errands.

Example Sentences

His mission is to help children in poor areas receive education.

The company assigned me an important mission to complete the project within three months.

He was sent to carry out a secret mission and cannot tell anyone.