告诉 gào su
“to tell; to inform; to let know”
verbHSK 2 · 2021 list level 1Traditional 告訴
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
告诉 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 343: 告诉 gàosu — Level 2; official annotation 2 (动). PDF page 88
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 告诉
告诉 means "to tell" or "to let someone know." It normally takes the person being told as the object, followed by the information: 告诉 + person + information. Use it in everyday situations when you pass news or information to someone.
例句Example sentences
- 你告诉他明天几点上课。nǐ gào su tā míng tiān jǐ diǎn shàng kè.Tell him what time class starts tomorrow.
- 妈妈告诉我一个好消息。mā ma gào su wǒ yí gè hǎo xiāo xi.Mom told me some good news.
- 请告诉我你的电话号码。qǐng gào su wǒ nǐ de diàn huà hào mǎ.Please tell me your phone number.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我告诉这件事给他。
✓我告诉他这件事。
告诉 takes the person being told as its direct object, and the information follows the person; do not use a 给 construction here.
易混词Easily confused
告诉vs说
说 focuses on speaking or saying something, while 告诉 focuses on giving information to a specific person and normally needs a person object.
义项All meanings
- gào sù: to press charges; to file a complaint
- gào su: to tell; to inform; to let know