告诉 gàosu to tell
to tell; inform
How to remember 告诉: 告 to tell + 诉 tell = to tell.
Characters
How it is used
- To tell/inform, taking two objects: person then message - 告诉我你的名字 (gàosu wǒ nǐ de míngzi) tell me your name.
- You must name the listener: say 告诉他 (gàosu tā) tell him, not just 告诉 alone.
- Contrast 说 (shuō, to say/speak) which needn't take a listener; 告诉 always delivers info to someone.
Example sentences
- 告诉我！ Gàosù wǒ!Tell me.
- 不要告诉我。 Búyào gàosù wǒ.Don't tell me.
- 请告诉我答案。 Qǐng gàosu wǒ dá'àn.Please tell me the answer.