Definition

1. Noun:

   • Order, Command: An authoritative directive or instruction issued by someone in a position of authority, requiring compliance or execution.
   • Decree, Edict: An official order issued by a legal or governmental authority, such as a head of state, having the force of law.
   • Warrant, Permit: A formal written document authorizing a specific action, such as an arrest, payment, or search.
   • Signal: An object or sound used to convey a command, like a gong, bell, or signal flag.

2. Verb (colloquial):

   • To order, To command: To issue an authoritative instruction. (This usage is derived from the noun and is common in spoken language.)

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Viên tướng ra lệnh tấn công. (The general gave the order to attack.)
  • Lệnh ân xá đã được ký. (The pardon decree has been signed.)
  • Cảnh sát có lệnh khám nhà. (The police have a search warrant.)
  • Tiếng còi là lệnh để bắt đầu cuộc đua. (The whistle is the signal to start the race.)

• Verb:

  • Ông ấy lệnh cho chúng tôi rời đi ngay lập tức. (He commanded us to leave immediately.)

Advanced Usage

• Computing: In computing, "lệnh" refers to a command—a signal or instruction that tells a computer to perform a specific task or operation.
  • Nhập lệnh vào terminal. (Enter the command into the terminal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ra lệnh (v): to give an order, to command.

  • Không ai được ra lệnh cho tôi. (No one gets to order me around.)

• Lệnh bắt (n): arrest warrant.

  • Lệnh bắt đã được thi hành. (The arrest warrant has been executed.)

• Lệnh chi (n): payment order.

  • Kế toán chuẩn bị lệnh chi. (The accountant is preparing the payment order.)

• Súng lệnh (n): starting pistol; signal gun.

  • Vận động viên chờ tiếng súng lệnh. (The athletes are waiting for the starting pistol.)

Synonyms

• Order: A directive from an authority.
• Command: An authoritative order.
• Decree: An official order from a government.
• Warrant: An authorization document.
• Signal: A sign to initiate an action.

Related Idioms

• Lệnh ông không bằng cồng bà: Literally "The husband's command is not as good as the wife's gong." It means the wife's opinion or decision is often more influential or final than the husband's.

  • Anh định làm thế à? Nhớ là lệnh ông không bằng cồng bà đấy. (You plan to do that? Remember, the wife's word is law.)

• Nói oang oang như lệnh vỡ: To speak very loudly and harshly, like a broken gong. It describes someone speaking in a strident, unpleasant manner.

  • Ông giám đốc nói oang oang như lệnh vỡ khiến nhân viên sợ hãi. (The director spoke as loudly as a broken gong, frightening the staff.)

noun

1. order, decree