指図|さしずsashizu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdirections; instructions; orders; command
    俺おれは人事課じんじかの馬鹿ばか野郎やろうにあごで指図さしずされるつもりはない。↗
    I will not be dictated to by some idiot in the personnel department.
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.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • 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

Japanese definitions
  1. 言いいつけてさせること。
  2. 絵図えず、地図ちず。
  3. 指名しめいすること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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