<p>I agree with @Semaphore,    <code>嘱咐</code>is more polite and more serious.
If he says,"Could you...", he is doing <code>嘱咐</code>.
If he says,"Do as I command!" he is doing <code>吩咐</code>.
Examples above are just make it more black and white.
By the way I'm chinese and my English grammar isn't very good.
I hope it helps.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T03:39:45.350Z
2014-06-26T03:39:45.350Z
meeming
<ol>
<li><p>吩咐 just like the command.</p></li>
<li><p>嘱咐 just like the parents told something to son or ...  kindly</p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T08:58:16.440Z
Care to elaborate?
Mou某
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T09:02:04.823Z
what did you mean ?
Danielsss
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T09:04:00.583Z
you might wanna check out http://chinese.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-answer "How do I write a good answer?"
Mou某
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T09:38:52.493Z
thanks for your notice, i'll correct at next time. thank you so much again.
Danielsss
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T09:52:08.197Z
you can click 'edit' and add some more info - otherwise you might find your post deleted. just a heads up
Mou某
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T08:24:29.903Z
2014-06-26T10:03:23.240Z
2014-06-26T10:03:23.240Z
Danielsss
<p>On the most basic level they both mean "to tell", but they are not exactly the same - there is some nuanced differences.</p>

<ul>
<li><code>吩咐</code> is closer to English <strong>"to instruct"</strong>. It is often used to describe a superior, or elder, telling their juniors to do something. Thus, it carries the connotation of a verbal command, almost ordering someone to do something. But it is less forceful outright than 命令, "to command".</li>
<li><code>嘱咐</code> in contrast is more even, and thus closer to English <strong>"to ask"</strong> or <strong>"to urge"</strong>. It is also used to convey concern, although it doesn't necessary carry any connotations of concern by itself.</li>
</ul>

<p>Despite these nuances, for the most part the meanings are similar enough that they <strong>can</strong> be used interchangeably. That's why you'll also find them listed as synonyms.</p>

<p>Examples:</p>

<ol>
<li><code>他爸媽吩咐他要照顧好妹妹</code> : His parents <strong><em>told him</em></strong> to take good care of his sister. Alternatively: <em>"instructed him"</em>, or <em>"ordered him"</em>.</li>
<li><code>他爸媽嘱咐他要照顧好妹妹</code> : His parents <strong><em>bade him</em></strong> take good care of his sister. Alternatively: <em>"asked him"</em>, or <em>"urged him"</em>.</li>
</ol>

<p>Note that apart from the meaning of "to tell", 嘱咐 has a second meaning <strong>"to entrust</strong>", or <strong>"to charge"</strong>.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-25T13:04:02.213Z
2014-06-25T14:13:18.200Z
2014-06-25T14:13:18.200Z
Semaphore
<p>Both of them seem to be able to be used to mean instruct. Am I right in saying that you can 嘱咐 and 吩咐 someone to study hard? If so, what is the difference in meaning between these two terms?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-06-26T02:41:14.510Z
I wouldn't use either term to express "instructing" somebody to "study hard," as you put it.
Mou某
<meaning><difference>
What is the difference between 嘱咐 and 吩咐?
# What is the difference between 嘱咐 and 吩咐?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-06-25)

Both of them seem to be able to be used to mean instruct. Am I right in saying that you can 嘱咐 and 吩咐 someone to study hard? If so, what is the difference in meaning between these two terms?

**Tags:** meaning, difference

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I wouldn't use either term to express "instructing" somebody to "study hard," as you put it.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2014-06-25. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

On the most basic level they both mean "to tell", but they are not exactly the same - there is some nuanced differences.

* `吩咐` is closer to English **"to instruct"**. It is often used to describe a superior, or elder, telling their juniors to do something. Thus, it carries the connotation of a verbal command, almost ordering someone to do something. But it is less forceful outright than 命令, "to command".
* `嘱咐` in contrast is more even, and thus closer to English **"to ask"** or **"to urge"**. It is also used to convey concern, although it doesn't necessary carry any connotations of concern by itself.

Despite these nuances, for the most part the meanings are similar enough that they **can** be used interchangeably. That's why you'll also find them listed as synonyms.

Examples:

1. `他爸媽吩咐他要照顧好妹妹` : His parents ***told him*** to take good care of his sister. Alternatively: *"instructed him"*, or *"ordered him"*.
2. `他爸媽嘱咐他要照顧好妹妹` : His parents ***bade him*** take good care of his sister. Alternatively: *"asked him"*, or *"urged him"*.

Note that apart from the meaning of "to tell", 嘱咐 has a second meaning **"to entrust**", or **"to charge"**.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-06-26. Score: 2

I agree with @username_4, `嘱咐`is more polite and more serious.
If he says,"Could you...", he is doing `嘱咐`.
If he says,"Do as I command!" he is doing `吩咐`.
Examples above are just make it more black and white.
By the way I'm chinese and my English grammar isn't very good.
I hope it helps.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-06-26. Score: 2

1. 吩咐 just like the command.
2. 嘱咐 just like the parents told something to son or ... kindly

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Care to elaborate?  
> **username_3**: what did you mean ?  
> **username_1**: you might wanna check out http://chinese.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-answer "How do I write a good answer?"  
> **username_3**: thanks for your notice, i'll correct at next time. thank you so much again.  
> **username_1**: you can click 'edit' and add some more info - otherwise you might find your post deleted. just a heads up  

---

