Chinese–EnglishWith examples

待命

dài mìng · dai ming

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. to be on call
  2. to be on standby
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In a conversation

0:18 cartoon

On call tonight

  1. Liangliang

    今晚(jīnwǎn)我(wǒ)在(zài)公司(gōngsī)待命(dàimìng)，不能(bùnéng)出去玩(chūqùwán)。

    Tonight I am on call at the office. I cannot go out.

  2. Dengdeng

    待命(dàimìng)是(shì)什么(shénme)意思(yìsi)？

    What does on call mean?

  3. Liangliang

    就是(jiùshì)电话(diànhuà)一(yī)响(xiǎng)，我(wǒ)就(jiù)要(yào)去(qù)工作(gōngzuò)。

    It means as soon as the phone rings, I must go to work.

  4. Dengdeng

    那(nà)我(wǒ)陪(péi)你(nǐ)待命(dàimìng)，我们(wǒmen)先(xiān)吃饭(chīfàn)吧(ba)。

    Then I will keep you company on call. Let us eat first.

  5. Liangliang

    好啊(hǎoa)……啊(a)，电话(diànhuà)响(xiǎng)了(le)！老板(lǎobǎn)要(yào)我(wǒ)去(qù)买(mǎi)咖啡(kāfēi)。

    OK... oh, the phone is ringing! The boss wants me to buy coffee.

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

消(xiāo)防(fáng)队(duì)员(yuán)二(èr)十(shí)四(sì)小(xiǎo)时(shí)待(dài)命(mìng)，随(suí)时(shí)准(zhǔn)备(bèi)出(chū)动(dòng)。

Firefighters are on standby 24 hours a day, ready to set out at any time.

02

所(suǒ)有(yǒu)救(jiù)护(hù)车(chē)都(dōu)在(zài)医(yī)院(yuàn)门(mén)口(kǒu)待(dài)命(mìng)。

All the ambulances are on standby at the hospital entrance.

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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