French Conversation · Level 27
90 words
French word
ordonner
Pronunciation
IPA/ɔʁdone/
Meaning
- verborder
Example
Le patron a ordonné la fermeture du magasin.
The boss ordered the store to close.
More examples
Le maire a ordonné l'évacuation du quartier.
The mayor ordered the evacuation of the district.
Core concept
An authority sets a required action for someone else to carry out.
Common phrases
ordonner à quelqu'un de + infinitif
order someone to ___
ordonner la fermeture
order the closure
ordonner des mesures
order measures
Similar words
dire: To convey information or thoughts through speech.
demander: To make a polite request for someone to do something.
commander: To direct others by virtue of an organizational position or role.
forcer: To compel someone to act against their wishes through force or pressure.
Definition in French
Donner à quelqu'un un ordre qu'il doit exécuter.
Word origin
French ordonner comes through Old French from Latin ordinare, meaning arrange in order, and developed the sense of giving an order.
Usage tips
- For a person, French uses ordonner à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose, while a noun can follow directly, as in ordonner la fermeture.
Other meanings
- arrangeverb
- prescribeverb
Related words
- ordonnanceprescriptionnoun
- ordonnéorderlyadjective