令 lìng command
command; order
How it came to be
A figure kneeling under a cover, taking something handed down from above. What reaches somebody on their knees is an order.
How it is used
- Formal/written for "command, order": 命令 (mìnglìng, order/command), 下令 (xiàlìng, to issue an order), 口令 (kǒulìng, password or drill command).
- As a causative verb "to make someone feel X", it's literary register: 令人满意 (lìng rén mǎnyì, satisfying).
- In everyday speech, 让 (ràng) or 使 (shǐ) does this causative job instead of 令.
Characters built with 令
Words with 令
Example sentences
- 这个消息令人吃惊。 Zhège xiāoxi lìngrén chījīng.The news is surprising.