to order
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to order
To give someone a binding and authoritative command or instruction to do something. A command generally allows no objection.
Der Hauptmann befahl seinen Soldaten, die Stellung zu halten.
The captain ordered his soldiers to hold the position.
'Befehlen' (to order) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all conjugated forms and sentence types.
Er befahl dem Hund, still zu sein.
He ordered the dog to be quiet.
This verb always requires a dative for the person receiving the command. A common source of errors is using the accusative.
Der König befahl seinem Diener (nicht: seinen Diener), das Tor zu öffnen.
The king ordered his servant (not: seinen Diener) to open the gate.
The action that is ordered often appears in an infinitive construction with 'zu'. The pattern is: subject + befehlen + dative object + comma + infinitive with 'zu'.
Die Mutter befahl ihrem Kind, sofort ins Bett zu gehen.
The mother ordered her child to go to bed immediately.
'Befehlen' (to order) is a very strong and formal word. It is mainly used in military, police, or other strictly hierarchical contexts. In everyday life, it sounds impolite.
Der General befahl den sofortigen Rückzug.
The general ordered the immediate retreat.
to be called / to mean
'heißen' and 'befehlen' can both mean that someone tells another person to do something. But 'befehlen' is much stronger: it comes from a person with power or authority, and normally one is not supposed to object. 'heißen' in this meaning also refers to an instruction, but today it sounds rather elevated or old-fashioned. In normal everyday language, people are more likely to say 'auffordern' (to ask / call on someone to do something), or 'befehlen' in very strict situations. 'befehlen' is especially suitable for the military, police, strict bosses, or very clear orders.
Der Offizier befahl den Soldaten, das Gebäude zu verlassen.
The officer ordered the soldiers to leave the building.
Der Vater hieß den Jungen, sofort nach Hause zu kommen.
The father told the boy to come home immediately.