Japanese word

命令

Pronunciation

Romajimeirei

Meaning

  • nounorder

Example

その命令には従いません。so no mei rei ni wa shitaga i ma se n

I will not follow that order.

Illustration for 命令 (order)

More examples

その命令は、みんなを驚かせました。so no mei rei wa mi n na o odoro ka se ma shi ta

That order surprised everyone.

Core concept

Describes a forceful instruction that expects the other person to obey.

Common phrases

  • 命令に従うmei rei ni shitaga u

    obey an order

  • 命令に背くmei rei ni somu ku

    disobey an order

  • 命令を出すmei rei o da su

    give an order

  • 命令を受けるmei rei o u ke ru

    receive an order

Similar words

指示shiji: A direction that tells someone what to do or how to do something.
指図sashizu: A direction given to control another person's actions, often in an overbearing way.
依頼irai: A request for someone to do something, usually in a polite way.

Definition in Japanese

従うことを求めて、相手に強く言い渡すこと。shitaga u ko to o moto me te ai te ni tsuyo ku i i wata su ko to

Word origin

Combines 命 (mei, "command") and 令 (rei, "order") to form a word for an authoritative order.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 命令 (meirei) sounds stronger than a normal request and often suggests authority or a situation that requires obedience.

Related words

  • 命令するmeireisurucommandverb

Word lists with this word