指示|しじshiji[1]atamadaka (head-high)
ししshishi
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbindication; denotation; designation
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbinstructions; directions
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 指示する（しじする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 指示します（しじします） |
| Negative (nai) | 指示しない（しじしない） |
| polite (masen) | 指示しません（しじしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 指示せず・指示せぬ（しじせず・しじせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 指示した（しじした） |
| polite (mashita) | 指示しました（しじしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 指示しなかった（しじしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 指示しませんでした（しじしませんでした） |
| Te form | 指示して（しじして） |
| Potential | 指示できる（しじできる） |
| Passive | 指示される（しじされる） |
| Causative | 指示させる（しじさせる） |
| Causative passive | 指示させられる（しじさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 指示すれば（しじすれば） |
| tara | 指示したら（しじしたら） |
| Volitional | 指示しよう（しじしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 指示しましょう（しじしましょう） |
| Imperative | 指示しろ（しじしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym指図さしずNeutralTells someone exactly what to do, with a bossy, top-down tone, as in 「人の指図は受けない」.
- Synonym指令しれいWrittenA formal directive handed down from a superior, as in 「指令を出す」; leans organizational or military, and written/formal in register.
- Synonym言いつけるいいつけるNeutralVerb: to tell or order someone to do something; also to tattle to someone, as in 「先生に言いつける」.
- SynonymインストラクションNeutralLoanword for operating instructions and how-to guidance; mostly in manuals and training.
- RelatedガイダンスNeutralLoanword for a detailed walkthrough for people doing something for the first time, or such an orientation event, as in 「新入生ガイダンス」.
- Related指揮しきNeutralCommanding and directing a group — conducting an orchestra or leading troops; stresses being at the head of it all.
- Related命令めいれいNeutralA superior ordering someone to do something in a strong tone; the most forceful of these words. 「指示」 leans toward explaining how.
- Related命じるめいじるWrittenVerb: to order or appoint; leans written/formal, as in 「退去を命じる」.
- Related命ずるめいずるWrittenA ずる-verb variant of 「命じる」 with the same meaning; seen mostly in official documents and formal prose.
- Related指導しどうNeutralGuidance and teaching, with the focus on developing and educating people.
- Related示達じたつWrittenA superior office notifying or instructing subordinates by document; bureaucratic, official-paper language.
- Related言いつけいいつけNeutralA noun for what an elder or superior tells you to do; common in everyday speech.
Use 「指示」 for instructions spelling out how to do something (「指示に従う」). 「指図」 is bossy top-down telling, 「指令」 a formal directive from above, 「命令」 a hard order, 「指揮」 commanding a group, 「指導」 teaching. 「命じる」/「命ずる」 are written verbs, 「示達」 official notices, 「言いつけ」/「言いつける」 everyday telling; the loanwords cover orientations and manuals.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
