das Kommando
command
A short, clear order that must be carried out immediately, especially in a military or police context.
EXAMPLE
Die Soldaten warteten auf das Kommando zum Angriff.
The soldiers waited for the command to attack.
das Kommando
command / commando
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Meanings
das Kommando
command
The authority to give orders or leadership over a group of people, especially over a military unit.
EXAMPLE
Der General hat das Kommando über die gesamte Division.
The general has command over the entire division.
das Kommando
commando unit
A special police or military unit trained for special tasks.
EXAMPLE
Ein Sondereinsatzkommando der Polizei stürmte das Gebäude.
A special police commando unit stormed the building.
das Kommando
command
In computer science, an instruction or command given to a computer program or operating system.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Kommando „dir“ kannst du dir den Inhalt des Verzeichnisses anzeigen lassen.
With the command 'dir', you can display the contents of the directory.
Usage tips
Typical verbs (order)
In the meaning of 'Befehl' (order/command), 'Kommando' is often combined with verbs such as 'geben' (to give), 'erteilen' (to issue), 'erhalten' (to receive), 'ausführen' (to carry out), or 'befolgen' (to obey).
EXAMPLE
Der Hund wartet auf das Kommando seines Besitzers.
The dog waits for its owner's command.
Typical verbs (leadership)
When 'Kommando' means leadership or authority to give orders, typical verbs are 'haben' (to have), 'übernehmen' (to take over), 'führen' (to lead), or 'abgeben' (to hand over/give up).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Rücktritt des Kapitäns übernahm der erste Offizier das Kommando.
After the captain's resignation, the first officer took command.
Sentence structure with 'über'
To express what someone has command over, the preposition 'über' (over) is used with the accusative. The structure is: 'das Kommando über jemanden/etwas haben' (to have command over someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Der Kapitän hat das Kommando über das gesamte Schiff.
The captain has command over the entire ship.
Context clue (unit)
When 'Kommando' is used as a countable unit that can act, it means a special unit. A well-known example is the police 'Sondereinsatzkommando' (special operations commando, SEK).
EXAMPLE
Ein Kommando der Küstenwache enterte das verdächtige Schiff.
A coast guard commando unit boarded the suspicious ship.
Computer context
In the field of computer science, 'Kommando' is the usual term for a command that you enter into a computer. Typical verbs here are 'eingeben' (to enter) or 'ausführen' (to execute).
EXAMPLE
Um die Datei zu löschen, musst du das richtige Kommando eingeben.
To delete the file, you have to enter the correct command.
Compare with
Kommando vs Führung
leadership / tour / lead
Führung and Kommando can both refer to leading a military unit. Führung emphasizes the practical leadership and handling of the unit, while Kommando emphasizes formal authority to give orders. Führung is appropriate for the general leadership task, while Kommando is appropriate for official command authority.
Kommando
Der Offizier erhielt das Kommando über die Einheit.
The officer was given command of the unit.
Führung
Die Führung der Einheit bereitete die Soldaten auf den Einsatz vor.
The unit's leadership prepared the soldiers for the mission.
In real life
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