明令 (míng líng) — explicit order; decree (usually from an authority)

Definition

A formal, written noun for an explicit official order or decree, typically issued by a government or authority. Far more formal than everyday words like 命令.

noun
explicit orderdecree (usually from an authority)

Examples

  • 。
    Zhèng fǔ míng líng jìn zhǐ zài gōng gòng chǎng suǒ xī yān.
    The government issued an explicit order banning smoking in public places.
  • 明令。
    Gōng sī míng líng yāo qiú suǒ yǒu yuán gōng zūn shǒu xīn guī dìng.
    The company issued a decree requiring all employees to follow the new regulations.
  • 明令。
    Zhè xiàng míng líng zì fā bù zhī rì qǐ shēng xiào.
    This explicit order takes effect from the date of issuance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

明míngexplicit
令lìngorder

明 (explicit) + 令 (order) gives a clearly stated command from an authority.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

明 combines 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), showing the sun just rising while the moon has not yet set, or two bright objects in the sky, to express brightness.

Open 明 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 亼亼jí
  • 卩卩jié

In 令, the upper 亼 is an open mouth and the lower 卩 is a kneeling person, together showing someone giving orders.

Open 令 →

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