指使

zhǐshǐ

verb #8,682

Meanings

1 to instigate; to incite
2 to direct (someone to do something underhanded)

Characters

to point; to direct

to make; to cause; to use

Examples

是谁指使你这样做的？

Shì shéi zhǐshǐ nǐ zhèyàng zuò de?

Who instigated you to do this?

他被人指使去偷东西。

Tā bèi rén zhǐshǐ qù tōu dōngxi.

He was instigated by someone to steal things.

别指使我干活！

Bié zhǐshǐ wǒ gànhuó!

Don't order me around to do work!

Tips

usage

指使 has a negative connotation — it implies manipulating someone behind the scenes to do something wrong. For neutral 'to direct,' use 指导 or 指挥 instead.

Stroke Order

指 zhǐ

使 shǐ