Correct
告 vs 告诉 vs 告状
/ gào vs gàosù vs gàozhuàng /
Strokes
Formula
1
告诉（告）……一声
2
告……书
Definition
告 and 告诉 are both Verbs, and 告状 is a Verb phrase.
告 and 告诉, means “to tell, inform, let know".
告 and 告状, means "go to law against sb”.
Example
告诉 is used usually to let people know something by language.
Sometimes 告 can be used, which is more colloquial, usually limited to cases when the object is a personal pronoun. For example, in example, ① 告 can replace 告诉.
1
Wǒ
我
gàosù
告诉
(
gào
告
)
nǐ
你
yī
一
gè
个
hǎo
好
xiāoxi
消息
。
I will tell a piece of good news.
2
Tā
他
bǎ
把
zhè
这
jiàn
件
shì
事
gàosù
告诉
zhāngxiānsheng
张先生
le
了
。
He told it to Mr.Zhang.
3
Gàosù
告诉
wǒ
我
,
nǐ
你
xǐhuan
喜欢
zhège
这个
diànyǐng
电影
ma
吗
?
Tell me if you like the movie.
告诉（告）……一声
In the phrase 告诉（告）……一声, the two words are interchangeable, and 告 is more colloquial.
告诉（告）……一声
4
Nǐ
你
gàosù
告诉
(
gào
告
)
tā
他
yī
一
shēng
声
,
8
8
diǎnzhōng
点钟
kāihuì
开会
。
Please inform him of the meeting at 8.
5
Gàosù
告诉
(
gào
告
)
māma
妈妈
yī
一
shēng
声
,
wǒ
我
jīntiān
今天
wǎnshang
晚上
jiābān
加班
。
Please tell my mother that I will overwork tonight.
告……书 (The public statement for ...... ), in a notice to inform the public.
e.g.
《告全市人民书》(The public statement for the city),
《告全校师生书》(The public statement for the school),
敬告…… (Notice to……) etc. can also be used.
《告全市人民书》(The public statement for the city),
《告全校师生书》(The public statement for the school),
敬告…… (Notice to……) etc. can also be used.
告……书
6
Jìnggào
敬告
gèwèi
各位
xiāngqīn
乡亲
,
gōngchéng
工程
jíjiāng
即将
kāigōng
开工
,
rú
如
yǒu
有
bùbiàn
不便
zhī
之
chǔ
处
,
qǐng
请
duō
多
yuánliàng
原谅
。
Notice: The project is to start, and please forgive the inconvenience the construction will bring you.
告 is used to show the realization of an action.
But is limited to some set phrases such as 告一段落.
告吹 in colloquial language is a humorous phrase meaning failure.
告吹 in colloquial language is a humorous phrase meaning failure.
7
Zhè
这
jiàn
件
shì
事
yǐjīng
已经
gàoyīduànluò
告一段落
。
The matter is brought to a temporary close.
8
Nàge
那个
gōngchéng
工程
de
的
jiànshè
建设
zhōng
终
gào
告
chénggōng
成功
。
The project has been completed at last.
9
Zhècì
这次
shìyàn
试验
yǐ
已
gào
告
shībài
失败
。
The test has failed.
10
Bōkuǎn
拨款
de
的
shì
事
gàochuī
告吹
le
了
!
The fund earmarking has failed.
告 is used, to apply for ratification, but only in 告假.
11
Tā
他
jiālǐ
家里
yǒushì
有事
,
xiàng
向
dānwèi
单位
gào
告
le
了
liǎng
两
tiān
天
jiǎ
假
。
He has a family affair to handle,so he asked for two davs off.
12
Gōngsī
公司
lǐ
里
zhème
这么
máng
忙
,
rúguǒ
如果
méiyǒu
没有
tèshū
特殊
de
的
shì
事
shuí
谁
yě
也
bùxǔ
不许
gàojiǎ
告假
!
It is very busy in the company, so nobody is permitted to ask for leave if he has nothing special.
告 is used, to mean"accuse".
13
Wǒ
我
gào
告
nǐ
你
fángài
妨碍
gōngwù
公务
!
I will charge you with hindering public affairs.
14
Tā
他
yīnwèi
因为
shèxián
涉嫌
tānwū
贪污
bèi
被
rén
人
gào
告
le
了
。
He was accused of suspected embezzlement.
15
Zhège
这个
ànzi
案子
gào
告
xiàlai
下来
méiyǒu
没有
?
Has the case been settled?
告状 (Verb + Object) is used.
16
Tā
他
yīnwèi
因为
shèxián
涉嫌
tānwū
贪污
bèi
被
rén
人
gào
告
le
了
yī
一
zhuàng
状
。
He was accused of suspected embezzlement.
17
Tā
她
xiàng
向
fǎyuàn
法院
gào
告
le
了
línjū
邻居
de
的
zhuàng
状
。
She sued her neighbor.