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下令 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
下令xiàlìngto give an orderHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #5849, Very Hard
下令xiàlìngto commandHSK 7, unknown, 8 strokes, rank #5849, Very Hard
xiàlìng(xia4ling4) T4
  1. 1to give an order
  2. 2to command
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March 24, 2026

下令xiàlìng(xia4ling4)

下令 (xiàlìng) means 'to give an order' or 'to command' in Mandarin. This term is commonly used in military or authoritative contexts where someone in a position of power issues directives to subordinates. It conveys a sense of authority and expectation for compliance.

Strokes8Frequency#5849DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of hierarchy and authority is significant, especially in settings like the military or government. The use of '下令' reflects the importance of order and discipline in these contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a general '下' (down) on his troops, '令' (command) them to move. Picture the general giving a loud order that echoes down the ranks, making it memorable that xiàlìng means to command.

Meanings of 下令

xiàlìng(xia4ling4)
1to give an order
2to command
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 下令

下令Simplified
8Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 下令

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Podcast: 下令

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AI Study Notes for 下令

Quick Contrast

命令 (mìnglìng) - use 下令 (xiàlìng) when emphasizing the act of issuing an order, while 命令 (mìnglìng) can refer more broadly to the order itself.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone; '下令' is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '下令执行' (to order execution) and '下令停止' (to order a halt). Remember that the context of authority is crucial when using this term.

HSK Study Tips

While '下令' may not appear directly in HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance your comprehension of authority-related language. Focus on the characters: '下' (down) and '令' (command) as they often appear in formal language structures in HSK materials.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '下令' with '命令' (mìnglìng), thinking they are interchangeable. While both mean 'to command', '下令' implies a more formal directive. For instance, saying '我下命令' (wǒ xià mìnglìng) is incorrect; it should be '我下令'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 下令

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Component Characters

下xiàdown
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
令lìngclassifier for a ream of paper
HSK 55 strokes人
View full entry

How to say to give an order in Chinese

“to give an order” in Chinese is下令xiàlìng

下令 (xiàlìng) means 'to give an order' or 'to command' in Mandarin. This term is commonly used in military or authoritative contexts where someone in a position of power issues directives to subordinates. It conveys a sense of authority and expectation for compliance.

When to use 下令

Be cautious with the tone; '下令' is typically used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversations. Common collocations include '下令执行' (to order execution) and '下令停止' (to order a halt). Remember that the context of authority is crucial when using this term.

下令 or something close to it

命令 (mìnglìng) - use 下令 (xiàlìng) when emphasizing the act of issuing an order, while 命令 (mìnglìng) can refer more broadly to the order itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '下令' with '命令' (mìnglìng), thinking they are interchangeable. While both mean 'to command', '下令' implies a more formal directive. For instance, saying '我下命令' (wǒ xià mìnglìng) is incorrect; it should be '我下令'.

Write 下令

下
令

Practice writing 下令 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 下令

No, '下令' is typically reserved for formal or authoritative contexts, such as military commands.

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