Usage of 告诉 (gào sù)
告诉 is a common verb meaning "to tell" or "to inform." It is used when conveying information, instructions, or news to someone. It can also carry a legal sense of "to press charges" or "to file a complaint," but this is less common in everyday speech.
Common contexts
- Informing someone about facts or plans: e.g., telling meeting times or homework status.
- Reporting incidents or problems to authorities or responsible persons.
- Giving advice or warnings, often from parents or teachers.
Collocations and patterns
- 告诉 + 人 + 事情: to tell someone something.
- 告诉 + 人 + 不要 + Verb: to tell someone not to do something.
- 告诉 + 警察/老师: to report to police or teacher.
Nuances
告诉 is direct and neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It differs from 告知, which is more formal and often written. It also differs from 说, which is more general for "to speak" or "to say." When emphasizing the act of informing or notifying, 告诉 is preferred.
Common confusion
Don't confuse 告诉 with 告诉别人的 meaning "to tell others"; the verb itself focuses on the act of informing a specific person or group. For legal complaints, 诉讼 is the formal term, while 告诉 can be used colloquially for "pressing charges."