令 Stroke Order — How to Write 令
令 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 人, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
令 Radical and Character Components
Partial breakdown of 令:人
令 is an ideographic compound. A person kneeling before a master 人.
Radical: 人 + 3 more strokes
令 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- líng
- lǐng
- lìng
Meanings of 令 in Chinese
1
líng令
Línghú: 1. An ancient place name, located in present-day Linyi County, Shanxi Province. 2. A compound surname.
令狐先生是位学识渊博的学者。
Mr. Linghu is a very knowledgeable scholar.
2
lǐng令
A measure word, referring to a ream of paper (500 sheets of flat-sheet paper for printing).
他买了三令纸。
He bought three reams of paper.
3
lìng令
An order or command from a superior; a decree.
这公司政策朝令夕改，让人无所适从。
The company's policies change frequently, leaving people at a loss.
An ancient official title, such as a county magistrate (县令), chief minister (令尹), or imperial secretary (尚书令).
这位县令深得民心，治理有方
This county magistrate was deeply loved by the people and governed effectively.
to make; to cause; to enable
这份礼物真令人惊喜。
This gift is truly a pleasant surprise.
A season or a specific time of year.
这个时令的蔬菜特别新鲜。
The vegetables of this season are particularly fresh.
Good, beautiful, or excellent (often referring to reputation, time, or sound, in classical or formal contexts).
她凭借其令名远扬的琴艺，在音乐界崭露头角
With her widely acclaimed piano skills, she made a name for herself in the music world.
A respectful term used for someone else's relatives, such as 'your esteemed father' (令尊), 'your esteemed mother' (令堂), 'your esteemed son' (令郎), or 'your esteemed daughter' (令爱).
听说令郎考上了心仪的大学，真是可喜可贺！
I heard your esteemed son got into his dream university, that's truly wonderful news!
A short tune or song form, often used in the titles of Ci (词) poetry or Sanqu (散曲), like 'Xiao Ling' (小令) or 'Ru Meng Ling' (如梦令).
这首小令写得清新雅致。
This 'Xiao Ling' (short tune) is written in a fresh and elegant style.
Common Words and Phrases with 令
1
your beloved daughter; your esteemed daughter (a respectful term for someone else's daughter)
听闻令爱在学业上表现优异，真是可喜可贺。
I heard your esteemed daughter is performing excellently in her studies, which is truly commendable.
2
your mother (a respectful term)
请代我向令慈问好，祝她身体健康，生活愉快。
Please convey my regards to your esteemed mother, wishing her good health and a pleasant life.
3
your younger brother (honorific)
听说令弟最近在学习绘画，进展如何？
I heard your younger brother has been learning to paint recently, how is his progress?
4
Linghu (líng hú) is an ancient place name in today's Linyi County, Shanxi, and also a Chinese compound surname.
令狐先生对古代文化有着浓厚的兴趣。
Mr. Linghu has a strong interest in ancient culture.
5
An arrow-shaped token of authority used in ancient Chinese military to transmit orders; also figuratively, instructions from a superior.
传令兵接过令箭，立刻飞奔而去，将命令传达给前线部队
The messenger took the command arrow and immediately galloped away to deliver the orders to the frontline troops.
6
A happy or auspicious festival; also refers to noble moral principles or high integrity.
每逢令节，家人都会团聚一堂，共度欢乐时光。
On every joyous festival, family members gather together to spend happy moments.
7
your son (polite term)
您的令郎真是才华横溢锛前途无量銆
Your esteemed son is truly talented and has a bright future ahead.
8
good name; good reputation
凭借其在艺术领域的卓越贡献，她赢得了广泛的令名。
With her outstanding contributions in the field of art, she earned a widespread distinguished name.
9
your esteemed parents or relatives
冒昧地问一句，令亲身体可好？
May I respectfully inquire, how are your esteemed parents doing?
10
to cause people to; to make one feel or react in a certain way
这家餐厅的菜品味道真是令人赞不绝口。
The flavor of the dishes at this restaurant is truly commendable.
11
Describes something so appalling or outrageous that it causes extreme anger, making one's hair stand on end.
这种虐待动物的行为真是令人发指。
This act of animal cruelty is truly outrageous.
12
Your esteemed mother (a respectful term for someone else's mother)
请代我向令堂问好
Please convey my regards to your esteemed mother.
13
your elder brother (polite/respectful term)
听闻令兄在艺术领域颇有建树，真是令人敬佩。
I hear your elder brother has made considerable achievements in the field of art, which is truly admirable.
14
good fame; high reputation
这位科学家凭借其卓越的贡献，赢得了国际上的广泛令誉
This scientist earned widespread international renown through their outstanding contributions.
15
Your beloved wife (an archaic and respectful term for another's legitimate wife).
听闻您新居落成，不知届时能否携令正一同前往参观？
I heard your new residence is completed, I wonder if you and your esteemed wife could come and visit then?
16
A writ; a formal legal document issued by a court or other legal authority, commanding or authorizing an action.
法官签发了搜查令状。
The judge issued a search warrant.
More words with 令
- xiàn县lìng令county magistrate
- chì饬lìng令Command, Order
- chì敕lìng令An imperial decree or edict.
- cí辞lìng令Wording, Diction
- hào号lìng令command, order
- hè喝lìng令shout an order
- jí即lìng令even if; even though
- jiàng将lìng令military orders; commander's orders
- lè勒lìng令order, mandate
- mì密lìng令secret orders or secret command
- sī司lìng令Commander; commanding officer
- tiáo条lìng令military regulations or ordinances
- xiàn限lìng令a time-limited order or command
- xùn训lìng令directive, instruction
- yù谕lìng令decree, edict
- zòng纵lìng令even if; even though
- mìng命lìng令Command, Order
- rào绕kǒu口lìng令tongue twister
- xià夏lìng令summer; summer season or weather
- zhào诏lìng令Imperial decree, Edict
Idioms with 令
- lìng令chū出rú如shān山orders must be strictly obeyed
- lìng令rén人chī吃jīng惊to cause astonishment or surprise
- lìng令rén人hán寒xīn心to deeply disappoint and dishearten
- lìng令rén人mǎn满yì意to cause people to be satisfied
- lìng令rén人mò莫cè测difficult to fathom or predict
- lìng令rén人pēn喷fàn饭extremely amusing or ridiculous
- lìng令rén人pěng捧fù腹to make one laugh heartily
- lìng令rén人qǐ起jìng敬to inspire respect or admiration
- lìng令rén人qīn钦pèi佩Inspiring admiration or respect
- lìng令rén人shén神wǎng往captivating and inspiring longing
- lìng令rén人tòng痛xīn心heart-wrenching and deeply regrettable
- lìng令rén人xiàn羡mù慕to be admired or envied
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Open the tool →Questions about 令
What does 令 mean in Chinese?
令 (líng) means “Línghú: 1. An ancient place name” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 令?
令 has 3 pronunciations: líng, lǐng, lìng.
How many strokes does 令 have?
令 has 5 strokes.
How do you write 令?
令 is written in 5 strokes, starting from the radical 人. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 令?
The radical of 令 is 人, and 令 is an ideographic compound.