Chinese word

司令

Pronunciation

Pinyinsī lìng

Meaning

  • nouncommander

Example

我们军区的司令今天视察了部队。wǒ men jūn qū de sī lìng jīn tiān shì chá le bù duì

The commander of our military district inspected the troops today.

Illustration for 司令 (commander)

More examples

司令在总部召开了紧急会议，部署救援行动。sī lìng zài zǒng bù zhào kāi le jǐn jí huì yì bù shǔ jiù yuán xíng dòng

The commander held an emergency meeting at headquarters and organized the rescue operation.

Core concept

An appointed authority who coordinates a whole force by issuing orders and bearing responsibility for its actions.

Common phrases

  • 被任命为司令bèi rèn mìng wèi sī lìng

    be appointed commander

  • 担任司令dān rèn sī lìng

    serve as commander

  • 升任为司令shēng rèn wèi sī lìng

    be promoted to commander

Similar words

司令官sī lìng guān: A military officer whose official role is to oversee a force and direct its operations.
指挥官zhǐ huī guān: A commander who leads troops directly and gives orders while an operation is underway.
首长shóu zhǎng: A senior person in charge of an organization or military unit.
长官zhǎng guān: A high-ranking official in a government office or organization with authority to direct others.

Definition in Chinese

军队或大型组织中，负责发出作战或管理命令并承担指挥责任的官职或对该职务的称呼。jūn duì huò dà xíng zǔ zhī zhōng fù zé fā chū zuò zhàn huò guán lǐ mìng lìng bìng chéng dān zhǐ huī zé rèn de guān zhí huò duì gāi zhí wù de chēng hū

Word origin

司令 (sīlìng, "commander") is built from 司 (sī, "to be in charge") and 令 (lìng, "command"), linking responsibility for an organization with the commands that guide it.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear a military title, but casual Chinese can extend it jokingly to a group leader, so the surrounding context shows whether the use is official or playful.

Other meanings

  • chiefnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 司令部sī lìng bùcommand headquartersnoun
  • 副司令fù sī lìngdeputy commandernoun

Word lists with this word