令: the kanji for order; command
令 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means order; command. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
令 is written in 5 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
令 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
レイ (rei)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 命令めいれい · meirei | order; command |
| 法令ほうれい · hōrei | laws and regulations |
| 指令しれい · shirei | instruction; order |
| 令和れいわ · Reiwa | Reiwa (Japanese era name) |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 上司の命令には従わなければならない。Jōshi no meirei ni wa shitagawanakereba naranai.You have to follow your boss's orders.
- 法令を守って営業している。Hōrei o mamotte eigyō shite iru.We run our business in compliance with the law.
- 本部から新しい指令が届いた。Honbu kara atarashii shirei ga todoita.New instructions arrived from headquarters.
- 令和は二〇一九年に始まった。Reiwa wa nisen jūkyū nen ni hajimatta.The Reiwa era began in 2019.
- 大雨で避難命令が出た。Ōame de hinan meirei ga deta.An evacuation order was issued because of heavy rain.
Questions about 令
How many strokes does 令 have?
令 is written in 5 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 令?
The on readings are rei (レイ). 令 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 令?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Government, rules and society
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 令
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.