The word 指令 is formed by combining two independent characters, each contributing a core concept to create a new, unified meaning. The first character, 指 (zhǐ), carries the fundamental idea of "pointing" or "directing", as with a finger. The second character, 令 (lìng), embodies the concept of an "order" or "command". When fused, the composite meaning logically becomes "to point and give an order", or more naturally, an "instruction" or "directive", where one part denotes the action of directing and the other establishes its authoritative, mandatory nature.