Meaning of 命令
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- order
- command
Measure word: 道,個|个
How to use 命令
命令 works as a noun (an order) and as a verb (to order someone to do something). It sounds formal and strong, and is common in military, police, government, and computer contexts. Example: 老板命令我们加班。(Lǎobǎn mìnglìng wǒmen jiābān.) The boss ordered us to work overtime.
Both characters share the same top part, a roof-like shape over a kneeling person. 令 (lìng) means to order, and 命 (mìng) adds a mouth 口, so picture someone with authority opening their mouth to give an order.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 命 (mìng) and 令 (lìng) because they look alike. Remember that 命 has the extra 口 on the left. Also, 命令 is too harsh for everyday requests, so use 让 (ràng) or 请 (qǐng) when asking a friend to do something.
命令 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
命 mìng · life · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
令 lìng · to order · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 命令.
| 生命 | shēngmìng | life (as the characteristic of living beings); living being; creature (CL:條|条[tiao2]) |
| 命运 | mìngyùn | fate; destiny |
| 救命 | jiùmìng | to save sb's life; (interj.) Help! |
| 革命 | gémìng | to withdraw the mandate of heaven (and transition to a new dynasty) (original meaning); re |
| 性命 | xìngmìng | life |
| 致命 | zhìmìng | fatal; mortal |
| 使命 | shǐmìng | mission; long-term task to which one devotes oneself |
| 下令 | xiàlìng | to give an order; to issue an order |
| 指令 | zhǐlìng | to order; to command; an order; a command; an instruction |
| 拼命 | pīnmìng | to do one's utmost; with all one's might; at all costs; (to work or fight) as if one's lif |
| 要命 | yàomìng | to cause sb's death; extremely; terribly |
| 命名 | mìngmíng | to give a name to; to dub |
Questions about 命令
What does 命令 mean?
命令 (mìnglìng) means "order; command" and is used as a noun and verb.
How do you write 命令?
命令 is made of 2 characters: 命 (8 strokes), 令 (5 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 命令 an HSK word?
Yes. 命令 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How do you say 'follow an order' or 'disobey an order' in Chinese?
Say 服从命令 (fúcóng mìnglìng) for 'obey an order' and 违抗命令 (wéikàng mìnglìng) for 'disobey an order'. You will also hear 下命令 (xià mìnglìng), 'to give an order'.
Can 命令 mean a computer command?
Yes. In computing, 命令 means a command, as in 输入命令 (shūrù mìnglìng), 'enter a command'. A command line is 命令行 (mìnglìngháng).