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.
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.
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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Jason Explains 令 to You
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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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
Origin
What kind of character is 令?
Decomposition of 令
Parts
Which of these is part of 令?
How to say classifier for a ream of paper in Chinese
“classifier for a ream of paper” in Chinese is令
The character 令 (líng) primarily means 'to order' or 'to command.' It is commonly used in contexts involving authority, such as giving orders or making something happen. Additionally, it can refer to an official decree or warrant, showcasing its connection to governance and hierarchy.
When to use 令
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).
令 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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.
Which one
Which one 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.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我____你去。
I order you to go.
Example Sentences for 令 (14)
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Word Family of 令
Characters with 令
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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.
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