Meanings of 令
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About 令
Podcast: 令
Podcast: 令
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AI Study Notes for 令
命 (mìng) vs 使 (shǐ) — choose 令 when emphasizing authority in giving orders, while 命 suggests a command related to fate or life, and 使 focuses on causing someone to do something.
Imagine a general giving a loud command to his troops, which helps you remember that 令 (líng) means 'to command.' The character has a top component that symbolizes authority (the radical for 'command') and a bottom component that looks like a person standing at attention, emphasizing the act of giving orders.
Be cautious with the tone, as 令 (líng) is pronounced with a rising tone. It is often used in formal situations, so learners should be mindful of the context in which they use it. Common collocations include 令人生气 (lìng rén shēng qì - to make someone angry) and 令我惊讶 (lìng wǒ jīngyà - to surprise me).
While 令 (líng) is not an official HSK word, it connects with HSK vocabulary related to commands and actions, such as 让 (ràng - to allow) and 听 (tīng - to listen). Students should practice using it in sentences to reinforce its meaning and usage.
In traditional Chinese governance, 令 (líng) was often associated with imperial commands and decrees, underscoring the importance of hierarchy and authority in Chinese culture. This character reflects the respect given to orders from higher authorities.
Learners often confuse 令 (líng) with 让 (ràng), using them interchangeably as in '我令你去' (wǒ líng nǐ qù) instead of the more appropriate '我让你去' (wǒ ràng nǐ qù). Remember, 令 implies a command, while 让 implies permission.
Pronunciation of 令
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Etymology of 令
Depicts a person (卩) receiving commands from a mouth (口) above them. Originally 令 and 命 were variations of the same character.
A person kneeling before a master 人
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 令?
Decomposition of 令
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 令?
Write 令
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Practice writing 令 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 令
令 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 13 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Used to emphasize the action of ordering or commanding.
这是我命令的。
This is what I ordered.
Complete the Sentence
这件事____她吃不下饭。
This matter made her unable to eat.
Common Confusions with 令
Similar pronunciation but different meanings.
Similar pronunciation and can be confused in context.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "classifier for a ream of paper"?
Usage Notes for 令
Learners often confuse '令' with other verbs when giving commands.
我令你去。
I order you to go.
Fill in the Blank
我____你去。
I order you to go.
Example Sentences for 令 (10)
Cultural Notes for 令
In traditional Chinese governance, 令 (líng) was often associated with imperial commands and decrees, underscoring the importance of hierarchy and authority in Chinese culture. This character reflects the respect given to orders from higher authorities.
Word Family of 令
Compound Meaning
What does 冷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 令
While both 令 (lìng) and 命 (mìng) can mean 'to order' or 'to command,' 令 is often used in more formal or official contexts, whereas 命 can imply a more authoritative or imperative command. Understanding the context in which you use each word is important for conveying the right tone.