Meaning
叮嘱 means to repeatedly and earnestly remind or instruct someone about something important, often out of care or concern. It carries a tone of gentle insistence, like when a parent reminds a child multiple times to be careful or when someone gives careful instructions before a trip.
Usage
This verb is commonly used when someone in a caring or authoritative position gives important reminders or instructions. It often appears with family members, teachers, or supervisors speaking to those they care about. The repeated or earnest nature of the reminder is built into the meaning, so it's stronger than a simple reminder.
Examples
- 01妈妈出门前叮嘱我要按时吃药。.Before going out, Mom repeatedly reminded me to take my medicine on time.
- 02老师叮嘱学生们考试时要仔细检查。.The teacher earnestly reminded the students to check their work carefully during the exam.
Characters
Common collocations
- 再三叮嘱to repeatedly urge; to exhort again and again
- 叮嘱某人做某事to urge someone to do something
- 千叮嘱万叮嘱to give repeated instructions; to remind over and over
Origin
叮 originally meant the sound of insect bites or stings, suggesting persistence. Combined with 嘱 (to entrust or instruct), the word conveys the image of persistently buzzing reminders, like repeated gentle stings of concern.