指図|さしずsashizu[1]atamadaka (head-high)
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- noun, suru verb, transitive verbdirections; instructions; orders; command
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 指図する(さしずする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 指図します(さしずします) |
| Negative (nai) | 指図しない(さしずしない) |
| polite (masen) | 指図しません(さしずしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 指図せず・指図せぬ(さしずせず・さしずせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 指図した(さしずした) |
| polite (mashita) | 指図しました(さしずしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 指図しなかった(さしずしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 指図しませんでした(さしずしませんでした) |
| Te form | 指図して(さしずして) |
| Potential | 指図できる(さしずできる) |
| Passive | 指図される(さしずされる) |
| Causative | 指図させる(さしずさせる) |
| Causative passive | 指図させられる(さしずさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 指図すれば(さしずすれば) |
| tara | 指図したら(さしずしたら) |
| Volitional | 指図しよう(さしずしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 指図しましょう(さしずしましょう) |
| Imperative | 指図しろ(さしずしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- Synonym指示しじNeutralNeutral word for concrete instructions or directions, as in 「指示に従う」; unlike 「指図」 it carries no sense of bossing someone about.
- Synonym命令めいれいNeutralA command with coercive force, at home in both formal and everyday settings; 「指図」 is more colloquial and hints at ordering someone around.
- Synonym命じるめいじるWrittenWritten-style verb for ordering or appointing; 「指図」 also works as the verb 「指図する」, keeping its bossing-people-around flavor.
- Synonym命ずるめいずるWrittenA written-language variant of 「命じる」; 「指図」 is the more colloquial option.
- Synonym指令しれいWrittenWritten word for a directive issued from above; 「指図」 is more colloquial.
- Synonym号令ごうれいNeutralA command called out loudly, as in 「号令をかける」; 「指図」 is telling people what to do and having them carry it out.
- Synonym下命かめいWrittenWritten term for a superior issuing an order to subordinates; 「指図」 is more colloquial.
- Synonym令するれいするWrittenA rare, written-style word for commanding; in daily speech say 「命じる」 instead.
- Related言いつけるいいつけるNeutralTo tell someone to do something, and also to tattle, as in 「先生に言いつける」; 「指図」 stresses the ordering-about nuance.
- Related指揮しきNeutralLeading and coordinating the whole operation, as in 「現場を指揮する」; 「指図」 stresses telling people what to do and putting them to work.
- Related仰せ付けるおおせつけるWrittenHonorific verb for instructions or orders given by a superior; 「指図」 carries no note of respect.
- Related申し付けるもうしつけるFormalFormal word for instructing someone; often 「何なりとお申し付けください」 to invite orders; 「指図」 sounds like bossing people about.
Use 「指図」 for telling someone what to do, often with a bossing-around nuance, as in 「人の指図は受けない」. For neutral instructions choose 「指示」, for forceful commands 「命令」, and for directing a whole group 「指揮」. To politely invite someone to give you instructions, say 「お申し付けください」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


