令|れいrei[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noun, noun (suffix)command; order; dictation
   国際こくさい貿易ぼうえき禁止きんし令れいがその国くにの経済けいざいにとって最後さいごの頼たのみでしょう。↗

   An international trade ban could be the last straw for that country's economy.
2. prefixnth year in the Reiwa era (May 1, 2019-)

• Synonym指令しれいWrittenA formal noun for a directive from a higher organ to a lower one; 「令」 is seldom used alone, appearing mostly inside 「法令」 and 「令状」.
• Synonym命令めいれいNeutralThe neutral, everyday word for a superior ordering someone to act; also covers laws and program instructions. 「令」 mostly appears as a compound element.
• Synonym下知げじWrittenA written-style noun for issuing a command, with an archaic ring and rare in modern use; 「令」 mostly appears in compounds like 「命令」 and 「法令」.
• Synonym下命かめいWrittenA formal written noun for a superior giving an order to subordinates; solemn and little used today, while 「令」 serves mainly as a compound element.

Use 「令」 mainly in compounds for orders and laws, as in 「令状」 and 「法令」. For everyday commands pick 「命令」, for organizational directives 「指令」, for solemnly issuing an order 「下命」, and for an archaic flavor 「下知」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （レイ）命令めいれい。指示しじ。いいつけ。
2. （レイ）法令ほうれい。きまり。さだめ。
3. （レイ）中国ちゅうごくの県けんの長官ちょうかん。
4. 他人たにんの家族かぞくを指さす語ごにつけて敬意けいいを表あらわす。