命令

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 命令 is read as めいれい and is a noun and する verb for an order issued by someone with authority requiring another person to act or stop.
• Basic usage: Acting because of an order appears in 隊長の命令で止まる, while obeying one appears in 主人の命令に従う.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Causal で and target に
  • Use 命令で when an order causes the action, and use 命令に従う for obeying it, with に marking the target of obedience.
• Difference from 指示
  • 指示 gives a method or direction to follow, while 命令 has stronger force based on authority and a demand for obedience.