谕 (yù) — (bound form) to inform (a subordinate); to order (formal/classical)

Definition

谕 (yù) is a formal/classical verb meaning 'to order or instruct (a subordinate)', typically used by a superior addressing a lower rank. In modern Chinese it appears almost only as a bound form in set phrases like 下谕, 面谕, 手谕, or 谕旨.

bound form
to inform (a subordinate)to order (formal/classical)

Examples

  • 谕。
    Huáng dì xià le yí dào yù zhǐ.
    The emperor issued an imperial edict.
  • 谕。
    Fù qīn de shǒu yù hěn yǒu quán wēi.
    Father's personal order is very authoritative.
  • 谕。
    Xiào zhǎng miàn yù xué shēng yào zūn shǒu jì lǜ.
    The principal personally instructed the students to follow the rules.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 諭; 谕 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Sound part声符shēngfú
俞
俞yú諭yù
Same sound today

The traditional form 諭 combines 言, a speech part, with 俞, which gives the sound. The simplified 谕 is not the form discussed here.

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