五十而知天命 wǔshí'érzhītiānmìng at fifty one knows destiny Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents 五十 wǔshí numeral fifty the number fifty; 50而 ér particleconjunction [adverbial linker] Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.知 zhī verb to know to know; to be aware of; to realize or sense天命 tiānmìng destiny the mandate of heaven; destiny; fate