# 三令五申

sān lìng wǔ shēn

Give repeated, explicit orders or warnings

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Three orders and five repeated declarations

**Register:** Insistent · formal

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Emphasize a rule repeatedly communicated.

Numbers are emphatic, not necessarily exact.

## Understanding the expression

Orders are repeated and their meaning explained again, leaving little room to claim they were not heard. Modern use often appears when authorities or managers stress a rule that people continue to break. It can express frustration as well as seriousness. The repeated numbers are a conventional way to emphasize frequency. Clear communication still requires understandable wording and practical conditions, because repetition alone does not make a confusing instruction easier to follow.

## Examples

学校三令五申禁止作弊。

### Traditional Chinese

學校三令五申禁止作弊。

xué xiào sān lìng wǔ shēn jìn zhǐ zuò bì 。

The school repeatedly forbids cheating.

经理三令五申要戴护具。

### Traditional Chinese

經理三令五申要戴護具。

jīng lǐ sān lìng wǔ shēn yào dài hù jù 。

The manager repeatedly orders protective equipment to be worn.

已经三令五申，仍有人迟到。

### Traditional Chinese

已經三令五申，仍有人遲到。

yǐ jīng sān lìng wǔ shēn ， réng yǒu rén chí dào 。

Despite repeated warnings, some still arrive late.

安全规定被三令五申地强调。

### Traditional Chinese

安全規定被三令五申地強調。

ān quán guī dìng bèi sān lìng wǔ shēn dì qiáng diào 。

The safety rules have been emphasized repeatedly.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%89%E4%BB%A4%E4%BA%94%E7%94%B3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=266&webMd=1&la=0)

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