懸命
けんめい · kenmei · JLPT N2 · na-adj
strenuous
懸 = hang + 命 = life: hanging your life on a task, so going all out
Etymology: 懸命 literally means hanging one's life on something. It covers both eager, earnest desire and strenuous, all-out effort, as in working hard or wanting something badly.
命 — 亼 (gather) + 卩 (kneeling person) + 口 (mouth)
Originally depicted a kneeling figure receiving an oral command from above, combining 令 (order) with an added 口 (mouth) for emphasis. The image of authority issuing decrees extended from 'command' to 'mandate' and then 'destiny, life,' as one's fate was seen as decreed by Heaven.