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告诉

gào su
HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 2 Verb Very common

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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.

告诉
gào su Verb to tell; to inform; to let know
告诉
gào sù to press charges; to file a complaint

Definitions

  1. 1. to tell; to inform; to let know

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item
保密
bǎo mì

to keep sth confidential

to keep secret

Related words

2 items
通知
tōng zhī

to notify

to notify, often official
打听
dǎ ting

to ask about

to ask about, inquire

Synonyms

1 item
告知
gào zhī

to inform

formal announcement or written notification

Usage notes

Collocations

告诉 commonly pairs with 消息 (news) or 秘密 (secret). E.g., 告诉你一个秘密 (tell you a secret).

Common mistakes

告诉 is a transitive verb that always takes an object. Avoid using it without specifying who is being told. For example, '我告诉了他' (I told him) is correct, but '我告诉了' is incomplete.

Grammar

Guides that feature 告诉

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2 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 3+ 6 min
把...送给, 交给, 还给 for “Give Something to Someone”

Use 把 + thing + verb + 给 + person to say you give, hand, lend or return a specific thing to someone: 请把作业交给老师.

Reading: gào su Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min
Double Objects with 给, 问, 教, 送 and 告诉

Say who gets what with verbs like 给, 问, 教, 送 and 告诉: verb + person + thing, as in 老师给我一本书.

Reading: gào su Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
请 告诉 我事情的细节。
Please tell me the details of the matter.
他 告诉 我成功的秘诀。
He told me the secret of success.
请你 告诉 我真相。
Please tell me the truth.
请 告诉 我你的地址。
Please tell me your address.
请 告诉 我您的年龄。
Please tell me your age.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 告诉

告
gào

to say

诉
sù

to complain