令
lìng
command
At a glance · 令

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

令 Evolution of the glyph
  1. 令 Object sketch
    Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
  2. 令 Oracle bone
    Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
  3. 令 Seal script
    Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
  4. 令 Clerical script
    Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
  5. 令 Regular script
    Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE
Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

「令」甲骨文从𠂉从卩,象人发号施令,金文小篆承之。

What the sketch shows

令 Object sketch

Origins & notes

「令」本义为命令、号令,引申使、善、县令。

Structure

从𠂉、从卩,会意字,象人跪听令,本为号令、善美。

At a glance

Pinyinlìng
Radical人
Strokes5
UnicodeU+4EE4
Character type会意
Theme政事

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English command command, order; 'commandant', magistrate; allow, cause
Français beau / ordre Beau, ordre. «慎终宜令» : excellent jusqu'au bout.
Español bello / orden Bello, orden. «慎终宜令»: excelente hasta el fin.
العربية جميل / أمر جميل، أمر. «慎终宜令»: ممتاز حتى النهاية.
Русский прекрасный / приказ Прекрасный, приказ. «慎终宜令»: превосходно до конца.

Common words

  • 命令mìng lìngorder
  • 令lìnggood/order