HSK 7, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to inform
HSK 7, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to say
HSK 7, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to tell, to inform, to announce; to accuse
HSK 7, v, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to report
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to denounce
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to file a lawsuit
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
告
gào
to sue
HSK 7, unknown, 7 strokes, radical 口, rank #2623, Very Hard
gào(gao4) T4
1to tell
2to inform
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March 24, 2026
告gào(gao4)
The character 告 (gào) primarily means 'to tell' or 'to inform.' It is commonly used in contexts where information is conveyed, such as announcing news or reporting events. Additionally, it can imply a more formal context, such as filing a lawsuit or making an accusation.
Strokes7Radical口Frequency#2623DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of informing or announcing can carry significant weight, especially in communal settings. For example, public announcements during festivals or events are a way to maintain social harmony and ensure everyone is informed.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing on a stage, loudly announcing important news to a crowd. The character 告 resembles a person with arms raised, conveying a message. The pronunciation 'gào' sounds like 'go,' as if you are urging someone to go and share what they’ve learned.
Meanings of 告
gào(gao4)
1to tell
2to inform
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 告
告Simplified
7Strokes
口Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2623Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5BCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 告
Podcast: 告
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 告
Quick Contrast
告 (gào) vs 通知 (tōngzhī) — use 告 for more personal or direct communication, while 通知 is more formal and often used for official notices.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 告 with similar verbs like 说 (shuō) and 讲 (jiǎng), but remember that 告 carries a more formal tone and is often associated with announcements or official information. It's commonly used in legal contexts, such as 告状 (gào zhuàng), which means to file a lawsuit.
HSK Study Tips
This character is useful for intermediate learners as it connects to various phrases involving communication and legal actions. Students should focus on its usage in formal contexts and practice using it in compound words like 告诉 (gàosu, to tell) and 举报 (jǔbào, to report).
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 告 in informal contexts where 说 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我告你一个秘密' instead of '我告诉你一个秘密.' Remember that 告 is more formal.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 告
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Pictograph of a tongue extending from an open mouth. Graphically similar to 舌 (tongue).
1The giveawayTo speak 口 with the force of an ox 牛
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 告? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 告?
Decomposition of 告
IDS Structure⿱牛口
告Full Character
=
牛Niu2
top
口kou3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 告?
How to say to tell in Chinese
“to tell” in Chinese is告gào
The character 告 (gào) primarily means 'to tell' or 'to inform.' It is commonly used in contexts where information is conveyed, such as announcing news or reporting events. Additionally, it can imply a more formal context, such as filing a lawsuit or making an accusation.
When to use 告
Learners often confuse 告 with similar verbs like 说 (shuō) and 讲 (jiǎng), but remember that 告 carries a more formal tone and is often associated with announcements or official information. It's commonly used in legal contexts, such as 告状 (gào zhuàng), which means to file a lawsuit.
告 or something close to it
告 (gào) vs 通知 (tōngzhī) — use 告 for more personal or direct communication, while 通知 is more formal and often used for official notices.
What learners get wrong
Learners might incorrectly use 告 in informal contexts where 说 would be more appropriate, such as saying '我告你一个秘密' instead of '我告诉你一个秘密.' Remember that 告 is more formal.
Write 告
告
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Practice writing 告 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 告
告 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
