Japanese word

指図

Pronunciation

Romajisashizu

Meaning

  • nounorders

Example

上司の指図に従います。jō shi no sashi zu ni shitaga i ma su

I follow my boss's orders.

Illustration for 指図 (orders)

More examples

彼は人からの指図を嫌い、自分で決めたがります。kare wa hito ka ra no sashi zu o kira i ji bun de ki me ta ga ri ma su

He dislikes being given orders and wants to make his own decisions.

Core concept

Marks a direction imposed on another person, often with the force of an order rather than a mere suggestion.

Common phrases

  • 指図に従うsashi zu ni shitaga u

    follow instructions

  • 指図を受けるsashi zu o u ke ru

    take orders

  • 指図をするsashi zu o su ru

    give instructions

Similar words

命令meirei: A command that requires someone to act or obey.
指示shiji: A direction that tells someone what action to take.
指令shirei: A formal command issued by an authority or organization.

Definition in Japanese

他人にあれこれと行動を指示すること。また、その指示。ta nin ni a re ko re to kō dō o shi ji su ru ko to ma ta so no shi ji

Word origin

The noun 指図 (sashizu) combines the stem of 指す (sasu, "to point or direct") with 図 (zu, "plan or design"), developing the sense of a direction given to someone.

Usage tips

  • In workplace Japanese, 指図 (sashizu) can sound critical when it describes someone telling others what to do instead of simply coordinating a task.

Other meanings

  • instructionsnoun
  • commandnoun

Related words

  • 指図するsashizusurugive ordersverb

Word lists with this word