گفتار نقل قول: Say در مقابل Tell
say استفاده کن؛ وقتی گیرنده مهمه و با say و a person کنار هم میان، tell رو بچسبون.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'tell' when you mention the listener; use 'say' when you focus on the words spoken.
- Tell + Person: Always follow 'tell' with a personal object (e.g., 'Tell me').
- Say + Words: Use 'say' followed by the message or 'that' (e.g., 'Say hello').
- Say + To + Person: If you use 'say' with a person, you must use 'to' (e.g., 'Say to him').
مرور کلی
say و tell در زبان انگلیسی، یکی از آن نقاط عطفی است که زبانآموزان سطح متوسط (B1) را از سطوح پایینتر جدا میکند. در زبان فارسی، ما معمولاً از فعل «گفتن» برای هر دو مفهوم استفاده میکنیم. مثلاً میگوییم «به من گفت» (tell) یا «او گفت که...» (say).tell یک فعل متعدی (Transitive Verb) است که حتماً باید بلافاصله بعد از آن «شخص» (مفعول غیرمستقیم) بیاید. در مقابل، say بر «محتوای پیام» تمرکز دارد.say بدون حرف اضافه to اشتباه است. این موضوع در محیطهای کاری یا دانشگاهی که نیاز به دقت در گزارشدهی دارید، اهمیت دوچندان پیدا میکند.tell همواره نیاز دارد که مشخص کنید «به چه کسی» اطلاعات داده شده است. این فعل به معنای «اطلاع دادن» یا «بازگو کردن» است و همیشه یک شنونده (Listener) در ساختار خود میطلبد.He told me the news، کلمه me مفعول غیرمستقیم است. اگر me را حذف کنید، جمله ناقص میشود (He told the news - مگر اینکه زمینه قبلی مشخص باشد).say بر «خودِ کلمات» یا «محتوای گفته شده» تمرکز دارد. در فارسی، وقتی میگوییم «او گفت»، معمولاً شنونده را در ذهن داریم، اما در انگلیسی، say لزوماً نیازی به شنونده ندارد. اگر بخواهید شنونده را با say بیاورید، حتماً باید از حرف اضافه to استفاده کنید (مثلاً He said to me).tell اغلب با ساختار tell + someone + (that) + clause میآید، در حالی که say با ساختار say + (that) + clause استفاده میشود. همچنین، یک تفاوت کلیدی دیگر وجود دارد: tell برای دستورات (Commands) و درخواستها (Requests) استفاده میشود، در حالی که say برای بیان حقایق یا نقلقولها به کار میرود. به این فکر کنید که در فارسی، وقتی به کسی دستوری میدهید میگویید «به او بگو که بیاید».tell بهترین معادل است (Tell him to come). اما اگر فقط خبری را نقل میکنید، say مناسبتر است.to و جایگاه مفعول است. در فارسی، ما برای هر دو از «گفتن» استفاده میکنیم، اما در انگلیسی، ساختار Say me کاملاً غلط است و باید به Tell me یا Say to me تغییر یابد.say زمانی مناسب است که:- 1تمرکز اصلی بر روی «پیام» است، نه «شنونده». مثال:
The sign says 'No Parking'.(تابلو میگوید پارک ممنوع). - 2میخواهید نقلقول مستقیم داشته باشید:
She said, 'I am busy.' - 3در عبارات ثابت (Idioms) مانند
say helloیاsay goodbye.
tell زمانی مناسب است که:- 1میخواهید اطلاعاتی را به کسی منتقل کنید:
She told me her secret. - 2دستور یا توصیهای میدهید:
The doctor told me to exercise more. - 3در عبارات ثابت مانند
tell a lie(دروغ گفتن) یاtell the truth(راست گفتن) یاtell a story(داستان گفتن).
tell استفاده کنید. مثلاً: I told the manager about the delay.- 1حذف مفعول بعد از tell: فارسیزبانان به دلیل عادت به ساختار «گفتن»، گاهی میگویند
He told that he was late. این جمله در انگلیسی غلط است چونtellحتماً باید مفعول داشته باشد. باید بگوییدHe told me that....
- 1استفاده از مفعول مستقیم بعد از say: اشتباه رایج دیگر گفتنِ
He said me that...است. فارسیزبانان فکر میکنند چون در فارسی میگوییم «به من گفت»، پسsayهم مفعول میگیرد. اماsayمفعول مستقیم (شخص) نمیگیرد؛ یا بایدtoاضافه کنید یا ازtellاستفاده کنید.
- 1استفاده از tell برای نقلقول مستقیم: استفاده از
tellبرای نقلقول مستقیم (مثلاًHe told, 'I am here') غلط است.tellبرای گزارش دادن است، نه برای بازخوانی کلمات دقیق. برای این کار همیشه ازsayاستفاده کنید.
say نمیتواند مستقیماً مفعول بگیرد. باید بگویید He said to me یا از فعل told me استفاده کنید.Tell me بسیار طبیعیتر و رایجتر است. Say to me کمی رسمیتر است و بیشتر بر جهتِ کلام تأکید دارد.that اختیاری است. میتوانید بگویید He told me he was busy یا He told me that he was busy. هر دو صحیح هستند و در مکالمه روزمره، حذف that رایجتر است.Irregular Forms of Say and Tell
| Base Form | Past Simple | Past Participle | Third Person Singular | Present Participle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
Said /sed/
|
Said /sed/
|
Says /sez/
|
Saying
|
|
Tell
|
Told /toʊld/
|
Told /toʊld/
|
Tells
|
Telling
|
Meanings
The primary function of 'say' and 'tell' is to report information, thoughts, or instructions that were previously expressed by someone else.
Reporting Information
Using verbs to relay a message from one person to another.
“He said that the meeting was canceled.”
“They told us the news this morning.”
Giving Instructions
Using 'tell' to report an order or a strong request.
“The doctor told me to stay in bed.”
“She told him not to worry.”
Idiomatic Expressions
Fixed phrases where only one of the two verbs is correct regardless of the general rule.
“Tell a lie / Tell the truth.”
“Say a prayer.”
Reference Table
| فعل | نیاز به مفعول دارد؟ | ساختار رایج | مثال |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Say
|
No
|
Say + (that) + clause
|
"He said he was late."
|
|
Tell
|
Yes
|
Tell + person + (that) + clause
|
"He told me he was late."
|
|
Say to
|
Yes
|
Say + to + person + (that)
|
"She said to us that it's over."
|
|
Tell (idiom)
|
No
|
Tell + [truth/lie/story]
|
"Please tell the truth."
|
|
Say (written)
|
No
|
The [source] says...
|
"The sign says 'Stop'."
|
|
Tell (order)
|
Yes
|
Tell + person + to + verb
|
"She told me to call her."
|
طیف رسمیت
He informed me of his resignation. (Workplace gossip)
He told me he was quitting. (Workplace gossip)
He said he's out of here. (Workplace gossip)
He was like, 'I'm done.' (Workplace gossip)
The Say vs. Tell Decision Map
Use TELL
- Mentioning the listener Tell me
- Giving orders Tell him to go
- Stories/Jokes Tell a joke
Use SAY
- Focus on words Say 'Hello'
- That-clauses Say that it's cold
- With 'to' Say to her
Grammar Structure Comparison
Which verb should I use?
Are you mentioning the listener immediately?
مثالها بر اساس سطح
He says 'Hello'.
He says 'Hello'.
Tell me your name.
Tell me your name.
She said 'Yes'.
She said 'Yes'.
They told us the secret.
They told us the secret.
I told him that I was busy.
I told him that I was busy.
What did you say to her?
What did you say to her?
He told a very funny joke.
He told a very funny joke.
She said she didn't like the food.
She said she didn't like the food.
The teacher told the students to open their books.
The teacher told the students to open their books.
I said that I would think about it.
I said that I would think about it.
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
Can you tell me how to get to the station?
He said to me that he was moving to London.
He said to me that he was moving to London.
It is said that the castle is haunted.
It is said that the castle is haunted.
He told me off for being late again.
He told me off for being late again.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
I couldn't tell if she was joking or not.
She said she'd been waiting for over an hour.
She said she'd been waiting for over an hour.
To tell you the truth, I'm quite disappointed.
To tell you the truth, I'm quite disappointed.
The evidence says otherwise.
The evidence says otherwise.
I was told that the position had been filled.
I was told that the position had been filled.
Needless to say, we were all very surprised.
Needless to say, we were all very surprised.
There is much to be said for his approach.
There is much to be said for his approach.
The clock told of a time long forgotten.
The clock told of a time long forgotten.
He has the final say in all budgetary matters.
He has the final say in all budgetary matters.
I can't tell one twin from the other.
I can't tell one twin from the other.
بهراحتی اشتباه گرفته میشود
Learners use 'say' when they mean the act of talking or using a language.
Learners use 'tell' to describe a two-way conversation.
Learners forget the 'to' when using 'say' with a person.
اشتباهات رایج
He said me hello.
He said hello to me.
She told that she is happy.
She said that she is happy.
I tell to him the news.
I tell him the news.
He said me his name.
He told me his name.
They said us to wait.
They told us to wait.
Can you say me the time?
Can you tell me the time?
He told a prayer.
He said a prayer.
I said him that I would come.
I told him that I would come.
She told to me a lie.
She told me a lie.
He said me to shut up.
He told me to shut up.
The report tells that profits are up.
The report says that profits are up.
الگوهای جملهسازی
She told me that ___.
He said, '___'.
They told us to ___.
It's hard to tell the difference between ___ and ___.
Real World Usage
He said he's gonna be late.
My previous boss told me I was a great team player.
The witness said that the car was blue.
I told him to turn left at the light.
The post says the event is canceled.
The agent told me my refund was processed.
"Say me" ممنوع!
say بگی با کی صحبت کردی، باید to رو اضافه کنی. She said to me...درسته ولی
She told me خیلی طبیعیتره: She said to me I was right.
میانبر پیامکی
that رو حذف میکنیم. "He said he's coming« طبیعیتره تا »He said that he is coming«: »She told me she's busy."تابلوها و کتابها
The sign says No Entry. نمیگیم تابلو «به ما میگه» (tells us) مگه اینکه خیلی شاعرانه صحبت کنیم: "The book says it's easy."
Smart Tips
Stop! Change it to 'told me' or 'said to me'.
Always use 'tell' + person + 'to'. It's the cleanest way to report an order.
Always check for the 'to'.
Use 'says', not 'tells'.
تلفظ
The 'Said' Vowel
The word 'said' is pronounced with a short /e/ sound, like 'bed'. It does NOT rhyme with 'paid'.
The 'Says' Vowel
Similarly, 'says' is pronounced /sez/, rhyming with 'fez', not /seɪz/.
Told Diphthong
The 'o' in 'told' is a long diphthong /oʊ/, like in 'gold' or 'cold'.
Reporting Emphasis
He TOLD me (not just said it!)
Emphasizing 'told' stresses that the information was specifically directed at the listener.
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
TELL needs a TAIL (a person at the end of the verb). SAY is for what you SPAY (speak/display).
تداعی تصویری
Imagine the word 'TELL' having a long arm reaching out to grab a person (me, you, him). Imagine 'SAY' as a speech bubble containing only words, with no one nearby.
Rhyme
If you mention who you sell the news to, use TELL. If the words are all you say, then SAY is the way.
Story
Tom wanted to share a secret. He **said** 'I have a secret' to the wall. Then he saw Mary. He **told Mary** the secret. Mary **said** 'Wow!' and then she **told everyone**.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Look at your last 3 sent text messages. If you were reporting them to a friend, would you use 'say' or 'tell'? Write them out now.
نکات فرهنگی
Using 'tell' for orders is common, but in some cultures, it can sound too direct or aggressive. Using 'He said that I should...' is slightly softer than 'He told me to...'.
In casual American English, 'be like' is frequently used instead of 'say' or 'tell' to report speech and thoughts simultaneously.
The phrase 'I've been told' is a common polite way to introduce a piece of information without naming the source, often used in professional settings.
Both verbs come from Old English roots. 'Say' comes from 'secgan' (to say, speak, tell), and 'tell' comes from 'tellan' (to count, reckon, relate).
شروعکنندههای مکالمه
What did your best friend tell you recently?
Tell me about a time someone told you a secret.
What is the funniest joke someone has ever told you?
If you could say one thing to your younger self, what would it be?
موضوعات نگارش
اشتباهات رایج
Test Yourself
Choose the grammatically correct sentence about reporting a message:
Tell نیاز به یک مفعول شخصی (me) داره، در حالی که say نمیتونه مستقیماً مفعول شخصی بگیره.He ___ that he liked my new shoes.
said استفاده میکنیم.Find and fix the mistake:
My teacher told that the exam was easy.
told رو به said تغییر بدی یا یه گیرنده مثل me اضافه کنی تا درست بشه.Score: /3
تمرینهای عملی
8 exercisesShe ___ me that she was tired.
He ___ that he would be late for the meeting.
Find and fix the mistake:
I said him to be quiet.
He said to me, 'I am hungry.'
Match the following:
A: What did the doctor ___ you? B: He ___ I should eat more vegetables.
Select the correct sentence.
You can use 'say' with a person if you use 'to'.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesDid you ___ him the news yet?
The sign ___ 'No Parking'.
told / she / me / be / to / quiet
Er sagte mir die Wahrheit. (Use 'tell')
They said to us that they are happy.
Match the pairs:
Please don't ___ a lie to your parents.
My brother's text ___ he is coming home late.
She told to me everything.
said / he / he / was / sorry
Score: /10
سوالات متداول (8)
Yes, but only in specific idioms like `tell a lie`, `tell the truth`, `tell a story`, or `tell the time`.
Yes, it is grammatically correct, but it is much less common than `He told me`. It sounds a bit more formal or old-fashioned.
`Tell` is for giving information (one-way), while `talk` is for having a conversation (two-way).
This is an old idiomatic use of 'tell' meaning 'to count' or 'to account for'.
Yes! `Tell me that you love me` is a perfect example of 'tell + person + that-clause'.
No. `Said` is pronounced /sed/, rhyming with 'red' or 'bed'.
You can, but you need to use 'that' and a modal verb: `He said that I should go`. `He told me to go` is more direct.
If you aren't mentioning the listener, you must use `say`. Example: `Someone said there was a fire.`
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
decir / contar
Spanish allows 'me dijo' (he said me), which is impossible in English.
dire / raconter
French doesn't have a direct equivalent to the 'tell + person' structural rule.
sagen / erzählen
German 'sagen' is used more often with people than English 'say'.
iu (言う) / tsutaeru (伝える)
Japanese doesn't distinguish between say/tell based on the presence of a listener in the same way.
qala (قال) / akhbara (أخبر)
Arabic uses one verb ('qala') for both 'say' and 'tell' in 90% of cases.
shuō (说) / gàosù (告诉)
Chinese 'shuō' can sometimes take a person as an object in casual speech.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
ویدیوهای مرتبط
02:24 YouTube vs Grey: A Ballad of Accidental Suspension
09:41 Let's talk about porn literacy: Sex Ed #12
09:32 The Hidden Politics of Home: Crash Course Latin American Literature #8
REPORTED SPEECH in English - Indirect Speech | Reported Speech | Direct Speech (+ Free PDF & Quiz)
English with Lucy
REPORTED SPEECH | INDIRECT SPEECH | DIRECT SPEECH - statements, questions, commands
Arnel's Everyday English
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