MING-4

('ming' in the fourth tone)

There are some 17 standard Chinese characters with a 'ming' pronunciation. Major sound-indicating components are: 名 (5 occurences), 冥 (8)

命 =  life, to order

While the character has the above two meanings, it is never used by itself in either sense; thus, both meanings are academic; However, the character is part of many two-character words and expressions

革命 = ge(2)ming(4) = revolution

要命 = yao(4) ming(4) = to drive somebody to his death, to kill (figuratively)

天气热要命. = Tian(1) qi(4) re(4) yao(4) ming(4). = The weather is extremely hot. (lit. The weather hot drive to kill.)

Please note: this is not the same  'yao ming' as the name of the famous basketball player; that one is spelled 姚明 = Yao(2) Ming(2) = Clear Yao.