指令

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 指令, read しれい, is an instruction specifying an action or mission to carry out.
• Basic usage: It refers to a command or directive, for example one sent by headquarters to guide action.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Sender and received directive
  • 本部からの指令 is a directive from headquarters.
  • 指令を受けて出発した says the team departed after receiving the directive and acted on it.
• Content and transmission method
  • In 暗号で新たな指令が届く, a code is the means of transmission and the directive is the content. The word directive does not itself mean a secret code.