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指示 (zhǐ shì) — (verb) to indicate, to instruct; to point out; (noun) directive, instruction

Definition

A formal word meaning 'to instruct / to indicate' (verb) or 'directive / instruction' (noun), usually from a superior or authority. Compare 指出 (just pointing out a fact) and 说明 (explaining); 指示 implies an order to follow, stronger than 说明.

verb
to indicateto instructto point out
noun
directiveinstruction
Measure word · 个
Easily confused

Examples

  • 指示。
    Jīng lǐ zhǐ shì wǒ men gǎi jìn fāng àn.
    The manager instructed us to improve the plan.
  • 指示。
    Zhè tái yí qì huì zhǐ shì wēn dù biàn huà.
    This instrument will indicate temperature changes.
  • 指示。
    Qǐng nǐ àn zhào shàng jí de zhǐ shì zhí xíng.
    Please carry out the directives from your superiors.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

指zhǐpoint
示shìshow

指 means point and 示 means show, together indicating instructions or pointing out.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒu
Sound part声符shēngfú
旨
旨zhǐ指zhǐ
Same sound today

The left part 扌 is the hand form 手. The right part 旨 gives the sound.

Open 指 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

示 began as a drawing of an altar. Extra strokes were added to keep it distinct from unrelated old forms.

Open 示 →
Appears in
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