befehlen
Translation
to order, to command
Examples
Der General befiehlt den Angriff.
The general orders the attack.
Er befahl mir zu schweigen.
He ordered me to be silent.
Was befehlen Sie?
What do you command?
Grammar Patterns
((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to order sb. sth. The captain ordered his men to attack.
((sb.dat)) ((to do sth.)) to order sb. to do sth. The doctor ordered him to stay in bed.
Similar Words
Synonyms: anordnen, auftragen; Antonyms: gehorchen (to obey), bitten (to ask)
Etymology
From prefix be- and Old High German felahan (to entrust). To entrust someone with a task authoritatively.
Memory Tips
Learn it together with the noun 'der Befehl' (the command). It has a nuance of a strong, one-sided instruction.