下令

xià lìng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

Definitions

1. to give an order
2. to command

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 禁止 jìn zhǐ 禁止 jìn zhǐ to prohibit 禁止 means to prohibit, opposite of ordering to do something.: to prohibit

Register variants

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• 吩咐 fēn fù 吩咐 fēn fù to tell 吩咐 is more informal, meaning to tell or instruct.: to tell

Related words

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• 指令 zhǐ lìng 指令 zhǐ lìng order 指令 is a noun meaning command or instruction.: order

Synonyms

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• 命令 mìng lìng 命令 mìng lìng order Both mean to give an order; 命令 can also be a noun.: order

Usage notes

Common mistakes

下令 is not followed by a person as object; you cannot say 下令他. Use 向/对 + person + 下令.

Formality

下令 is formal and often used for official or military orders; in daily speech, 让 or 叫 is more common.

Example Sentences

1 shown

政府 下令 关闭学校。

The government ordered the closure of schools.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 下令

• 下 下 xià: down
• 令 令 lǐng: classifier for a ream of paper
• 令 令 lìng: to order