How to Say “Tell” in Chinese: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to say “tell” in Chinese is crucial for effective communication. Unlike English, Chinese doesn’t have a single, direct equivalent for “tell.” Instead, the appropriate word depends heavily on the context.

This article provides a detailed explanation of the various Chinese words that can translate to “tell,” their specific usages, grammatical structures, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will help you master this essential aspect of the Chinese language.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “Tell” in Chinese
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of “Tell” in Chinese
  • 说 (shuō) – To Say, To Speak, To Tell
  • 告诉 (gào su) – To Tell, To Inform
  • 讲 (jiǎng) – To Speak, To Tell (Stories, Lectures)
  • 吩咐 (fēn fù) – To Tell, To Instruct (Superior to Inferior)
  • 打电话 (dǎ gěi zhǐ) – Tell (via phone)
  • 知道 (zhī dào) – To Know
• Examples
  • 说 (shuō) Examples
  • 告诉 (gào su) Examples
  • 讲 (jiǎng) Examples
  • 吩咐 (fēn fù) Examples
  • 打电话 (dǎ gěi zhǐ) Examples
  • 知道 (zhī dào) Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Introduction

The concept of “telling” is fundamental to communication in any language. In English, “tell” is a versatile verb used in numerous contexts, from conveying simple information to narrating complex stories.

However, directly translating “tell” into Chinese can be misleading because the Chinese language uses different verbs based on the specific context and nuance you intend to convey. Mastering these nuances is crucial for accurate and natural-sounding communication in Mandarin Chinese.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the various Chinese equivalents for “tell,” offering detailed explanations, examples, and practice exercises to help you confidently express yourself in different situations.

Definition of “Tell” in Chinese

The English verb “tell” generally means to communicate information to someone in spoken or written form. However, in Chinese, the concept of “telling” is expressed using several different verbs, each with its own specific connotations and usage patterns.

These verbs include 说 (shuō), 告诉 (gào su), 讲 (jiǎng), and 吩咐 (fēn fù), among others. The correct choice depends on factors such as the type of information being conveyed, the relationship between the speaker and the listener, and the overall context of the communication.

Understanding these nuances is essential for accurate and effective communication in Chinese.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of sentences using these “tell” verbs in Chinese generally follows the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern, similar to English. However, the placement of the indirect object (the person being told) can vary depending on the verb used.

For example, with 告诉 (gào su), the person being told usually comes directly after the verb. With 说 (shuō), the information being told often comes after the person being told.

Understanding these structural differences is key to constructing grammatically correct sentences.

Here’s a breakdown of common sentence structures:

• Subject + 说 (shuō) + [To/That] + Information: 我 说 我 很 忙 (wǒ shuō wǒ hěn máng) – I said that I am busy.
• Subject + 告诉 (gào su) + Person + Information: 我 告诉 他 我 很 忙 (wǒ gào su tā wǒ hěn máng) – I told him that I am busy.
• Subject + 讲 (jiǎng) + Story/Lecture: 老师 讲 故事 (lǎo shī jiǎng gù shì) – The teacher tells stories.
• Subject + 吩咐 (fēn fù) + Person + Task: 老板 吩咐 我 做 这个 (lǎo bǎn fēn fù wǒ zuò zhè ge) – The boss instructed me to do this.

Types and Categories of “Tell” in Chinese

Let’s explore the most common Chinese verbs that translate to “tell,” examining their specific meanings and usage contexts.

说 (shuō) – To Say, To Speak, To Tell

说 (shuō) is the most versatile and common word, meaning “to say,” “to speak,” or “to tell.” It’s used for general statements, opinions, and simple declarations. It can also mean “to scold” in certain contexts, but that’s less common when directly translating “tell.” Focus on its primary meaning of conveying information.

告诉 (gào su) – To Tell, To Inform

告诉 (gào su) is specifically used to “tell” or “inform” someone of a fact or piece of information. It emphasizes the act of conveying information directly to a specific person.

The structure is typically Subject + 告诉 + Person + Information.

讲 (jiǎng) – To Speak, To Tell (Stories, Lectures)

讲 (jiǎng) is used for more formal speaking, such as giving a lecture, telling a story, or explaining a concept. It implies a more extended or detailed form of communication compared to 说 (shuō).

Think of it as “to narrate” or “to lecture.”

吩咐 (fēn fù) – To Tell, To Instruct (Superior to Inferior)

吩咐 (fēn fù) implies giving instructions or orders, usually from someone in a position of authority to someone of lower status. It carries a sense of command or direction.

It’s not used for casual conversation.

打电话 (dǎ gěi zhǐ) – Tell (via phone)

打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) means “to make a phone call.” To say “tell [person] via phone”, you would use 打电话给 [person] (dǎ diànhuà gěi [person]). The “tell” is implied by the act of calling.

知道 (zhī dào) – To Know

While 知道 (zhī dào) primarily means “to know,” it can sometimes be used in the sense of “to tell” when asking if someone knows something, implying that they have been told. For instance, “你知道吗？(nǐ zhīdào ma?)” can mean “Did you know?” or “Were you told?”.

Examples

Let’s dive into specific examples to illustrate the usage of each verb.

说 (shuō) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 说 (shuō) in various sentences.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
我 说 今天 很 热。	Wǒ shuō jīntiān hěn rè.	I said that it’s hot today.
他 说 他 不 知道。	Tā shuō tā bù zhīdào.	He said he doesn’t know.
你 说 什么？	Nǐ shuō shénme?	What did you say?
她 说 她 喜欢 看 电影。	Tā shuō tā xǐhuan kàn diànyǐng.	She said she likes watching movies.
他们 说 他们 会 来。	Tāmen shuō tāmen huì lái.	They said they will come.
老师 说 我们 要 努力 学习。	Lǎoshī shuō wǒmen yào nǔlì xuéxí.	The teacher said we should study hard.
我 只是 说 说 而已。	Wǒ zhǐshì shuō shuō éryǐ.	I was just saying.
别 乱 说。	Bié luàn shuō.	Don’t talk nonsense.
他 说 谎。	Tā shuō huǎng.	He tells lies.
你 怎么 说？	Nǐ zěnme shuō?	How do you say it?
我 想 说 一些 话。	Wǒ xiǎng shuō yīxiē huà.	I want to say something.
他 说 他 不 舒服。	Tā shuō tā bù shūfu.	He said he doesn’t feel well.
她 说 她 很 高兴。	Tā shuō tā hěn gāoxìng.	She said she is very happy.
你 可以 说 慢 一点 吗？	Nǐ kěyǐ shuō màn yīdiǎn ma?	Can you speak more slowly?
我 不 想 说。	Wǒ bù xiǎng shuō.	I don’t want to say.
他 说 他 会 帮助 我。	Tā shuō tā huì bāngzhù wǒ.	He said he will help me.
她 说 她 要 去 旅行。	Tā shuō tā yào qù lǚxíng.	She said she wants to travel.
他们 说 他们 很 喜欢 这个 地方。	Tāmen shuō tāmen hěn xǐhuan zhège dìfang.	They said they like this place very much.
我 说 我 会 尽力 的。	Wǒ shuō wǒ huì jìnlì de.	I said I will do my best.
你 应该 说 谢谢。	Nǐ yīnggāi shuō xièxie.	You should say thank you.
我们 说 好 了。	Wǒmen shuō hǎo le.	We agreed.

告诉 (gào su) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 告诉 (gào su) in various sentences.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
我 告诉 他 我 很 累。	Wǒ gàosu tā wǒ hěn lèi.	I told him I am tired.
请 告诉 我 你 的 地址。	Qǐng gàosu wǒ nǐ de dìzhǐ.	Please tell me your address.
他 告诉 我 这个 消息。	Tā gàosu wǒ zhège xiāoxi.	He told me this news.
我 告诉 你 事情 的 真相。	Wǒ gàosu nǐ shìqing de zhēnxiàng.	I’m telling you the truth about the matter.
她 告诉 我 她 要 结婚 了。	Tā gàosu wǒ tā yào jiéhūn le.	She told me she is getting married.
你 应该 告诉 父母 你 的 想法。	Nǐ yīnggāi gàosu fùmǔ nǐ de xiǎngfǎ.	You should tell your parents your thoughts.
我 告诉 他 不要 担心。	Wǒ gàosu tā bùyào dānxīn.	I told him not to worry.
他 告诉 我 他 明天 不 来。	Tā gàosu wǒ tā míngtiān bù lái.	He told me he won’t come tomorrow.
请 告诉 我 你 的 电话号码。	Qǐng gàosu wǒ nǐ de diànhuà hàomǎ.	Please tell me your phone number.
我 告诉 你 一个 秘密。	Wǒ gàosu nǐ yī ge mìmì.	I’ll tell you a secret.
你 告诉 我 你 去 哪里 了？	Nǐ gàosu wǒ nǐ qù nǎlǐ le?	Tell me where you went.
我 告诉 他 我 爱 他。	Wǒ gàosu tā wǒ ài tā.	I told him I love him.
她 告诉 我 她 很 忙。	Tā gàosu wǒ tā hěn máng.	She told me she is very busy.
他们 告诉 我 他们 喜欢 中国。	Tāmen gàosu wǒ tāmen xǐhuan Zhōngguó.	They told me they like China.
你 必须 告诉 我 真相。	Nǐ bìxū gàosu wǒ zhēnxiàng.	You must tell me the truth.
我 告诉 他 我 很 抱歉。	Wǒ gàosu tā wǒ hěn bàoqiàn.	I told him I’m very sorry.
她 告诉 我 她 要 离开。	Tā gàosu wǒ tā yào líkāi.	She told me she is going to leave.
他们 告诉 我 他们 会 帮助 我们。	Tāmen gàosu wǒ tāmen huì bāngzhù wǒmen.	They told me they will help us.
你 应该 告诉 医生 你 的 症状。	Nǐ yīnggāi gàosu yīshēng nǐ de zhèngzhuàng.	You should tell the doctor your symptoms.
我 告诉 你 我 不 知道。	Wǒ gàosu nǐ wǒ bù zhīdào.	I’m telling you, I don’t know.
他 告诉 我 他 很 期待。	Tā gàosu wǒ tā hěn qídài.	He told me he is looking forward to it.
请 告诉 我 更多 的 信息。	Qǐng gàosu wǒ gèng duō de xìnxī.	Please tell me more information.

讲 (jiǎng) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 讲 (jiǎng) in various sentences.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
老师 讲 课。	Lǎoshī jiǎng kè.	The teacher is lecturing.
他 喜欢 讲 故事。	Tā xǐhuan jiǎng gùshi.	He likes to tell stories.
我 讲 一个 笑话 给 你 听。	Wǒ jiǎng yī ge xiàohua gěi nǐ tīng.	I’ll tell you a joke.
他 在 讲 他 的 经历。	Tā zài jiǎng tā de jīnglì.	He is talking about his experiences.
她 今天 要 讲 一个 重要 的 话题。	Tā jīntiān yào jiǎng yī ge zhòngyào de huàtí.	She will talk about an important topic today.
你 能 讲 得 更 清楚 一点 吗？	Nǐ néng jiǎng de gèng qīngchu yīdiǎn ma?	Can you explain it more clearly?
他 正在 讲 关于 历史 的 故事。	Tā zhèngzài jiǎng guānyú lìshǐ de gùshi.	He is telling a story about history.
我 喜欢 听 他 讲 故事。	Wǒ xǐhuan tīng tā jiǎng gùshi.	I like listening to him tell stories.
他 讲 了 一个 很有意思 的 故事。	Tā jiǎng le yī ge hěn yǒuyìsi de gùshi.	He told a very interesting story.
老师 讲 了 关于 环境保护 的 重要性。	Lǎoshī jiǎng le guānyú huánjìng bǎohù de zhòngyàoxìng.	The teacher talked about the importance of environmental protection.
她 讲 了 她 的 旅行 经历。	Tā jiǎng le tā de lǚxíng jīnglì.	She talked about her travel experiences.
他们 讲 了 关于 未来 的 计划。	Tāmen jiǎng le guānyú wèilái de jìhuà.	They talked about their plans for the future.
我 讲 了 关于 我 的 工作。	Wǒ jiǎng le guānyú wǒ de gōngzuò.	I talked about my work.
你 能 讲 一些 关于 你 的 家庭 吗？	Nǐ néng jiǎng yīxiē guānyú nǐ de jiātíng ma?	Can you tell me something about your family?
他 讲 了 关于 他 的 爱好。	Tā jiǎng le guānyú tā de àihào.	He talked about his hobbies.
她 讲 了 关于 她 的 梦想。	Tā jiǎng le guānyú tā de mèngxiǎng.	She talked about her dreams.
他们 讲 了 关于 他们 的 挑战。	Tāmen jiǎng le guānyú tāmen de tiǎozhàn.	They talked about their challenges.
我 讲 了 关于 我 的 成功。	Wǒ jiǎng le guānyú wǒ de chénggōng.	I talked about my success.
你 能 讲 一些 关于 你 的 观点 吗？	Nǐ néng jiǎng yīxiē guānyú nǐ de guāndiǎn ma?	Can you tell me something about your views?
他 讲 了 关于 他 的 学习 经验。	Tā jiǎng le guānyú tā de xuéxí jīngyàn.	He talked about his learning experience.

吩咐 (fēn fù) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 吩咐 (fēn fù) in various sentences.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
老板 吩咐 我 完成 这项 任务。	Lǎobǎn fēnfù wǒ wánchéng zhè xiàng rènwu.	The boss instructed me to complete this task.
妈妈 吩咐 我 去 买 菜。	Māmā fēnfù wǒ qù mǎi cài.	Mom told me to go buy vegetables.
经理 吩咐 我 准备 会议。	Jīnglǐ fēnfù wǒ zhǔnbèi huìyì.	The manager instructed me to prepare the meeting.
他 吩咐 我 照顾 好 弟弟。	Tā fēnfù wǒ zhàogù hǎo dìdi.	He told me to take good care of my younger brother.
老师 吩咐 我们 完成 作业。	Lǎoshī fēnfù wǒmen wánchéng zuòyè.	The teacher instructed us to complete the homework.
我 吩咐 他 帮 我 拿 个 东西。	Wǒ fēnfù tā bāng wǒ ná ge dōngxi.	I told him to help me get something.
他们 吩咐 我 保持 安静。	Tāmen fēnfù wǒ bǎochí ānjìng.	They instructed me to keep quiet.
警察 吩咐 我们 不要 靠近。	Jǐngchá fēnfù wǒmen bùyào kàojìn.	The police instructed us not to approach.

打电话 (dǎ gěi zhǐ) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) in various sentences implying “tell via phone”.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
我 打电话 告诉 他 我 会 迟到。	Wǒ dǎ diànhuà gàosu tā wǒ huì chídào.	I called him to tell him I would be late.
你 应该 打电话 给 妈妈。	Nǐ yīnggāi dǎ diànhuà gěi māmā.	You should call your mom. (Implies telling her something)
他 打电话 问 我 在 哪里。	Tā dǎ diànhuà wèn wǒ zài nǎlǐ.	He called to ask me where I was.
我 打电话 给 朋友 告诉 他 这个 好 消息。	Wǒ dǎ diànhuà gěi péngyou gàosu tā zhège hǎo xiāoxi.	I called my friend to tell him the good news.

知道 (zhī dào) Examples

The following table provides examples of using 知道 (zhī dào) in various sentences implying “to tell” or “to be told”.

Chinese	Pinyin	English Translation
你知道 吗？	Nǐ zhīdào ma?	Do you know? (Implies “Were you told?”)
我 知道 了。	Wǒ zhīdào le.	I know. (Implies “I was told” or “I found out”)
他 应该 知道 这件事。	Tā yīnggāi zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.	He should know about this. (Implies “He should have been told.”)

Usage Rules

Here’s a summary of the usage rules for each verb:

• 说 (shuō): Use for general statements, opinions, and simple declarations. Can be followed directly by the information being conveyed.
• 告诉 (gào su): Use to specifically “tell” or “inform” someone of a fact. The structure is Subject + 告诉 + Person + Information.
• 讲 (jiǎng): Use for formal speaking, such as lectures, stories, or explanations. Implies a more detailed and extended form of communication.
• 吩咐 (fēn fù): Use when giving instructions or orders from a position of authority. The structure is Subject + 吩咐 + Person + Task.
• 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà): Use when the context refers to communicating via phone, implying that information is being conveyed.
• 知道 (zhī dào): Use to ask if someone knows something, implying whether they have been told.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using 说 (shuō) in all situations, even when 告诉 (gào su) or 讲 (jiǎng) would be more appropriate. Another mistake is misunderstanding the power dynamic implied by 吩咐 (fēn fù).

Avoid using it when speaking to someone of equal or higher status.

Here are some examples of common mistakes and their corrections:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
我 说 他 我 很 累。(Wǒ shuō tā wǒ hěn lèi.)	我 告诉 他 我 很 累。(Wǒ gàosu tā wǒ hěn lèi.)	Using 说 (shuō) directly with a person is incorrect in this context. 告诉 (gào su) is needed to indicate informing someone.
我 吩咐 朋友 帮 我。(Wǒ fēnfù péngyou bāng wǒ.)	我 请 朋友 帮 我。(Wǒ qǐng péngyou bāng wǒ.) or 我 让 朋友 帮 我。(Wǒ ràng péngyou bāng wǒ.)	吩咐 (fēn fù) implies a superior-inferior relationship. Use 请 (qǐng – to ask) or 让 (ràng – to let) when asking a friend for help.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the correct verb to fill in the blank.

Exercise 1: Choose between 说 (shuō) and 告诉 (gào su):

Question	Answer
1. 他 _____ 他 不 想 去。(Tā _____ tā bù xiǎng qù.) (He _____ he doesn’t want to go.)	说 (shuō)
2. 我 _____ 你 一个 秘密。(Wǒ _____ nǐ yī ge mìmì.) (I’ll _____ you a secret.)	告诉 (gào su)
3. 她 _____ 她 很 高兴。(Tā _____ tā hěn gāoxìng.) (She _____ she is very happy.)	说 (shuō)
4. 请 _____ 我 你 的 名字。(Qǐng _____ wǒ nǐ de míngzi.) (Please _____ me your name.)	告诉 (gào su)
5. 他们 _____ 他们 会 来。(Tāmen _____ tāmen huì lái.) (They _____ they will come.)	说 (shuō)
6. 我 _____ 他 我 会 帮助 他。(Wǒ _____ tā wǒ huì bāngzhù tā.) (I _____ him I will help him.)	告诉 (gào su)
7. 你 _____ 什么？(Nǐ _____ shénme?) (What did you _____?)	说 (shuō)
8. 我 _____ 你 真相。(Wǒ _____ nǐ zhēnxiàng.) (I _____ you the truth.)	告诉 (gào su)
9. 他 _____ 他 很 忙。(Tā _____ tā hěn máng.) (He _____ he is very busy.)	说 (shuō)
10. 她 _____ 我 她 要 离开。(Tā _____ wǒ tā yào líkāi.) (She _____ me she is going to leave.)	告诉 (gào su)

Exercise 2: Choose between 讲 (jiǎng) and 吩咐 (fēn fù):

Question	Answer
1. 老师 在 _____ 课。(Lǎoshī zài _____ kè.) (The teacher is _____ the lesson.)	讲 (jiǎng)
2. 老板 _____ 我 准时 完成 报告。(Lǎobǎn _____ wǒ zhǔnshí wánchéng bàogào.) (The boss _____ me to finish the report on time.)	吩咐 (fēn fù)
3. 他 喜欢 _____ 故事。(Tā xǐhuan _____ gùshi.) (He likes to _____ stories.)	讲 (jiǎng)
4. 妈妈 _____ 我 做 晚饭。(Māmā _____ wǒ zuò wǎnfàn.) (Mom _____ me to make dinner.)	吩咐 (fēn fù)
5. 教授 _____ 了 一个 非常 有趣 的 话题。(Jiàoshòu _____ le yī ge fēicháng yǒuqù de huàtí.) (The professor _____ a very interesting topic.)	讲 (jiǎng)
6. 经理 _____ 我 明天 开会。(Jīnglǐ _____ wǒ míngtiān kāihuì.) (The manager _____ me to have a meeting tomorrow.)	吩咐 (fēn fù)
7. 他 开始 _____ 他 的 经历。(Tā kāishǐ _____ tā de jīnglì.) (He started _____ his experience.)	讲 (jiǎng)
8. 父亲 _____ 我 照顾 好 家里。(Fùqīn _____ wǒ zhàogù hǎo jiālǐ.) (Father _____ me to take good care of the family.)	吩咐 (fēn fù)
9. 她 在 _____ 关于 文化 的 事情。(Tā zài _____ guānyú wénhuà de shìqing.) (She is _____ about culture.)	讲 (jiǎng)
10. 领导 _____ 我们 努力 工作。(Lǐngdǎo _____ wǒmen nǔlì gōngzuò.) (The leader _____ us to work hard.)	吩咐 (fēn fù)

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, it’s important to understand the nuances of using these verbs in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving rhetorical questions or indirect speech. Pay attention to the subtle differences in meaning and connotation that can arise in different contexts.

For example, consider the use of “说” in idioms and proverbs. Many Chinese idioms contain the word “说,” and understanding their meaning requires a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and history.

Similarly, indirect speech can be tricky. You need to be careful about how you report what someone said, ensuring that the verb you use accurately reflects the original speaker’s intent and the context of the conversation.

FAQ

1. Q: Is 说 (

   shuō) always interchangeable with 告诉 (gào su)?

A: No, they are not. 说 (shuō) is more general and can mean “to say” or “to speak,” while 告诉 (gào su) specifically means “to tell” or “to inform” someone of something. 告诉 (gào su) always requires a direct object (the person being told).

2. Q: Can I use 吩咐 (fēn fù) with my friends?

A: It’s generally not appropriate to use 吩咐 (fēn fù) with friends, as it implies a superior-inferior relationship. Use 请 (qǐng) or 让 (ràng) instead when asking a friend for a favor.

3. Q: How do I say “tell me more” in Chinese?

A: You can say “告诉 我 更多 (gàosu wǒ gèngduō)” which literally means “tell me more,” or “详细 说说 (xiángxì shuōshuo)” which means “explain in detail.”

4. Q: When should I use 讲 (jiǎng) instead of 说 (shuō)?

A: Use 讲 (jiǎng) when you are narrating a story, giving a lecture, or explaining something in a detailed and structured manner. 说 (shuō) is more appropriate for simple statements and conversations.

5. Q: How can I improve my understanding of these verbs?

A: The best way to improve is through practice and exposure. Pay attention to how native speakers use these verbs in different contexts.

Read Chinese books and articles, watch Chinese movies and TV shows, and practice speaking with native speakers.

Conclusion

Mastering the nuances of how to say “tell” in Chinese requires understanding the different verbs available and their specific contexts. By understanding the subtle differences between 说 (shuō), 告诉 (gào su), 讲 (jiǎng), 吩咐 (fēn fù), 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà), and 知道 (zhī dào), you can communicate more effectively and accurately in Chinese.

Remember to practice these verbs in different situations and pay attention to how native speakers use them. With dedication and practice, you’ll be able to confidently express yourself in a wide range of contexts.