noun, noun, used as a suffix
Used for official orders, commands, or dictation. Can appear as a suffix in words like 発令 (issuance of an order) or 辞令 (official appointment).
政府は避難令を出した。
The government issued an evacuation order.
社長から辞令が交付された。
An official appointment was handed down from the company president.
prefix
nth year of Reiwa
Prefix used to indicate a year in the Reiwa era (e.g., 令和6年 = Reiwa 6). Not used as a standalone word for this meaning.
See also: 令和
令和6年は2024年です。
Reiwa 6 corresponds to 2024.
この書類には「令和」と記入してください。
Please write 'Reiwa' on this document.
命令 is a more common and general word for 'order' or 'command', while 令 is more formal and often used in official or legal contexts.
指示 means 'instruction' or 'direction', often less forceful than 令. 令 implies an authoritative command.
The kanji 令 has been used historically for 'command' or 'decree'. The Reiwa era name (令和) was adopted in 2019, combining 令 (auspicious, command) and 和 (harmony).