Dictate to Meaning in English
expression
ˈdɪkˌteɪt/, /dɪkˈteɪt/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ
DIK-tayt too, dik-TAYT too, dik-TAYT tuh, dik-TAYT ti
ˈdɪkˌteɪt/ /tˈuː
DIK-tayt TOO
Definition
To tell someone what to do in a very controlling or bossy way, often not allowing them to decide for themselves.
Usage & Nuances
'Dictate to' is informal and negative, implying that someone is acting bossy or over-controlling. It is often used when criticizing behavior ("Don't dictate to me!"). Not the same as 'dictate' meaning 'say for someone to write'.
Spanish: imponerse a - mandar a - dictar órdenes aPortuguese (BR): mandar em - impor a vontade a - dar ordens aPortuguese (PT): mandar em - impor a vontade a - dar ordens aChinese (Simplified): 对...发号施令 - 指使Chinese (Traditional): 對...發號施令 - 指使Hindi: हुक्म चलाना - आदेश देनाArabic: يفرض أوامره على - يملي علىBengali: হুকুম চালানো - আদেশ জারি করা (বসির মতো)Russian: указывать (что делать) - приказывать - командоватьJapanese: 指図する - 命令する（偉そうに）Vietnamese: ra lệnh - sai khiếnKorean: 지시하다 - 명령하다 (거만하게)Turkish: buyurmak - emretmek (üstten)Urdu: حکم چلانا - زبردستی حکم دیناIndonesian: memerintah - mendikte (dengan otoriter)
Example Sentences
My boss likes to dictate to everyone in the office.
basic
Please don't dictate to me about how to do my job.
basic
Parents shouldn't always dictate to their children.
basic
He tries to dictate to the whole team, but no one listens anymore.
natural
"Don't dictate to me!" she shouted in frustration.
natural
Just because you're older doesn't mean you can dictate to your siblings.
natural