指示する · noun or participle which takes 'suru'
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 指示する | 指示しない |
| Polite | 指示します | 指示しません |
| Past polite | 指示しました | 指示しませんでした |
| Past | 指示した | 指示しなかった |
| Te-form | 指示して | 指示しないで |
| Desire | 指示したい | 指示したくない |
| Potential | 指示できる | 指示できない |
| Passive | 指示される | 指示されない |
| Causative | 指示させる | 指示させない |
| Causative passive | 指示させられる | 指示させられない |
| Volitional | 指示しよう | |
| Polite volitional | 指示しましょう | |
| Imperative | 指示しろ | 指示するな |
| Conditional | 指示すれば | 指示しなければ |
| Tara conditional | 指示したら | 指示しなかったら |
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
indication; designation; pointing out
Refers to showing, pointing out, or specifying something, often in a formal or technical context. Less common than the instruction sense.
Please indicate the destination on the map.
The doctor indicated the treatment policy.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
instructions; directions; orders
The most common use: giving someone instructions, directions, or orders on what to do. Often used in workplace, educational, or procedural contexts.
I received instructions for a new task from my boss.
The teacher gave the students directions for the experiment procedure.
The boss instructed his subordinate to prepare the documents.
The worker moved according to the supervisor's instructions.
The new employee received detailed instructions from a senior colleague.
Please take the medicine exactly as the doctor instructed.
指示する means to give instructions or directions and feels less authoritative than 命じる, which implies a clear command from a superior.
指示 is a neutral instruction or direction that can be quiet and one-on-one, whereas 号令 implies a forceful, group-directed shout of command.
指示 covers everyday instructions or directions, whereas 指令 carries a stronger sense of an authoritative, formal order.
指示 means an instruction or order to act, while 内示 is an unofficial notice informing someone of a decision.
指示 means giving a specific instruction or pointer, while 指揮 means overall command or direction of people or a performance.
指示 (also read しじ) means an instruction or directive, while 師事 means to study under someone as a mentor; they sound identical but are unrelated in meaning.
signboard; notice board