1.
command, order, signal, word of command
A verbal command or signal given to a group to coordinate action. Commonly used in military drills, school assemblies, sports, and other organized group activities.
号令をかける。
Give a command.
「気をつけ！」と号令がかかった。
The command 'Attention!' was given.
社長の号令のもと、全社で改革が進められた。
Reforms were carried out company-wide under the president's orders.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 号令をかける (give a command)
- 号令に従う (follow a command)
- 号令のもと (under the command of)
- 号令一下 (at a single command)
USAGE NOTES:
Most Japanese people associate 号令 with school life — the class monitor (日直) calls out commands like 「起立！礼！着席！」 (Stand! Bow! Sit!) at the start and end of each class. The word is also used in business to describe orders from leadership that set company-wide action in motion.