吩咐 fēnfù to tell
to tell; to instruct; to command
How to remember 吩咐: 吩 to order + 咐 to instruct = to tell.
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How it is used
- To instruct/tell someone (usually a subordinate) to do sth - 妈妈吩咐我买菜 (māma fēnfù wǒ mǎi cài) mom told me to buy groceries.
- Downward in direction (elder to junior, boss to staff) and about tasks, lighter than the formal 命令 (mìnglìng, to order). Spoken.