Chinese synonyms can be confusing, and it’s hard for Chinese learners to tell one from the other. Don’t worry! In this article, we’re talking about the differences between “说” (shuō) and “告诉” (gào sù), both of which mean “to tell” in some way.
中文同义词很容易混淆，对初学者来说很难区分。别愁！本文我们要涉及到”说”与”告诉”的区别。
First up, “告诉” (gào sù) is to convey a message or information to others, while “说” (shuō) is simply used to express one’s ideas. Therefore, “告诉” (gào sù) can be followed by double-objects, but “说” (shuō) cannot.
“告诉”和”说”最大的区别是动作的方向性问题，”告诉”的动作具有方向性，即把某事说出来的目的在于传给对方；”说”不具有这种方向性，它只是用话表达思想、意思的方式。所以，”告诉”可以带双宾语，”说”不可以。
nǐ qù gào sù xiǎo wáng lái tīng diàn huà ba
你去告诉小王来听电话吧。(RIGHT)
Could you tell Xiao Wang to answer the phone?
你去说小王来听电话。(WRONG)
Secondly, when used in a 把 sentence, “告诉” (gào sù) can be followed by an object indicating a person, which is not applicable to “说” (shuō).
“告诉”用在”把”字句里，后边可以只用一个表人宾语，”说”不可以。
wǒ men bǎ zhè jiàn shì de zhēn xiàng gào sù tā ba
我们把这件事的真相告诉他吧。(RIGHT)
Let’s tell him the truth.
我们把这件事的真相说他吧。(WRONG)
Thirdly, “说” (shuō) also means “to explain” or “to criticize”, which is not applicable to “告诉” (gào sù).
“说”还有”解释”、”批评”等意思，”告诉”没有这种意思。
lǎo shī, nín néng shuō yi shuō zhè gè cí shì shén me yì sī ma
老师，您能说一说这个词是什么意思吗？(RIGHT)
Could you please explain what the word means, Sir?
老师，您能告诉这个词是什么意思吗？ (WRONG)
zhāng lì hǎo jǐ tiān méi lái shàng kè, lǎo shī zhèng shuō tā ne
张力好几天没来上课，老师正说他呢。(RIGHT)
The teacher is criticizing Zhang Li, who skipped classes in the past few days.
张力好几天没来上课，老师正告诉他呢。(WRONG)
The article is translated and editted by Chinlingo. Please indicate the source for any use, reproduction or transfer.
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