Definitions

lìng (verb) to order; to command
lìng (noun) command; order
lìng (verb) to cause; to make something happen

Etymology

Depicts a person () receiving commands from a mouth () above them.

About

The character "令" is an ideogram whose structure combines "亼", representing a shelter or gathering, above "卩", a kneeling figure, illustrating a scene of authority where a command is issued. This composition has persisted without alteration, maintaining its visual form. Originally denoting the act of ordering or commanding, as in early texts, its semantic range expanded to include causative functions meaning "to make" or "to cause", while also referring to formal decrees, such as in "法令". Over centuries, it further developed uses in polite honorifics, like "令堂", and in contexts indicating seasons or periods, such as "时令", demonstrating a progression from concrete authority to abstract influence and temporal designation.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这个消息人高兴。

Zhè ge xiāoxi lìng rén gāoxìng.

This news makes people happy.

他下开始行动。

Tā xià lìng kāishǐ xíngdòng.

He ordered the start of the action.

老师的命必须遵守。

Lǎoshī de mìnglìng bìxū zūnshǒu.

The teacher's orders must be obeyed.

这种天气我不想出门。

Zhè zhǒng tiānqì lìng wǒ bù xiǎng chūmén.

This kind of weather makes me not want to go out.

公司颁布了新法

Gōngsī bānbù le xīn fǎlìng.

The company promulgated new regulations.

他的行为人失望。

Tā de xíngwéi lìng rén shīwàng.

His behavior is disappointing.

政府下禁止聚集,以防止疫情扩散。

Zhèngfǔ xià lìng jìnzhǐ jùjí, yǐ fángzhǐ yìqíng kuòsàn.

The government ordered a ban on gatherings to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

这项政策经济发展迅速,但也环境污染加剧。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè lìng jīngjì fāzhǎn xùnsù, dàn yě lìng huánjìng wūrǎn jiājù.

This policy has caused rapid economic development, but it has also exacerbated environmental pollution.