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').
Overview
say와 tell의 구분입니다. 한국어에서는 '말하다'라는 단어 하나로 모든 상황을 해결할 수 있지만, 영어에서는 말의 내용에 집중하느냐, 아니면 말의 대상(청자)에게 집중하느냐에 따라 사용하는 동사가 완전히 달라집니다. 한국어 문법 체계에는 '말하다'라는 동사가 문장 구조를 결정짓는 핵심 요소가 아니지만, 영어에서는 say와 tell이 문장의 형식(형태)을 결정하는 결정적인 역할을 합니다.say와 tell의 가장 큰 차이는 '대상(Indirect Object)'의 유무와 그 위치에 있습니다. 한국어에서는 «나에게 말했다»라고 할 때 '나에게'라는 부사구가 동사 앞에 오지만, 영어에서는 tell을 사용할 때 반드시 대상이 동사 바로 뒤에 붙어야 합니다.tell은 '누군가에게 정보를 전달하다'라는 의미를 내포하고 있어, 반드시 목적어(사람)가 뒤따라야 합니다. 예를 들어 He told me that...과 같이 tell + 사람 + 내용의 구조를 가집니다. 반면, say는 '말을 내뱉다'라는 행위 자체에 초점이 맞춰져 있습니다. 그래서 say 뒤에는 바로 사람이 올 수 없습니다. 만약 대상을 꼭 언급하고 싶다면 say to me와 같이 전치사 to를 반드시 써야 합니다.He told me와 He said to me로 구분해야 합니다. tell은 정보 전달의 '방향성'이 강하며, say는 정보의 '내용' 그 자체에 무게를 둡니다.He said me가 틀린 문장인지 쉽게 알 수 있습니다. say는 타동사로서 '말하는 내용'을 목적어로 취하는 경우가 많기 때문에, 사람을 직접 목적어로 취하지 않는다는 점을 항상 기억해야 합니다.say는 사람을 쓸 때 to가 필요하고, tell은 사람을 바로 써야 합니다. 특히 tell + 목적어 + to 부정사 구조는 명령이나 요청을 전달할 때 매우 자주 쓰이는 패턴입니다.say를 사용할 때는 말의 '내용'이 중요하거나, 말하는 대상이 불분명할 때입니다. 예를 들어, 카페에서 친구들과 대화할 때 «그 소식 들었어? 그가 곧 이사 간대»라고 말한다면, He said that he is moving이라고 합니다. 여기서 누구에게 말했는지는 중요하지 않죠. 또한 say hello, say goodbye와 같은 관용구는 tell로 대체할 수 없습니다.tell은 '정보의 전달'이나 '지시'가 목적일 때 사용합니다. 회사에서 상사가 업무를 지시하거나, 배달 앱에서 기사님에게 위치를 설명할 때처럼 상대방에게 구체적인 메시지를 전달해야 하는 상황에서는 tell을 씁니다. «그가 나에게 5시까지 오라고 했어»를 영어로 할 때는 He told me to come by 5라고 해야 자연스럽습니다.said를 쓰면 문법적으로 어색해지며, He said to me to come...과 같은 구조는 매우 부자연스럽습니다. 요약하자면, '지시(Instruction)'나 '정보 전달(Giving information)'이 목적이라면 tell을, '진술(Statement)' 자체가 목적이라면 say를 선택하세요.- 1
say뒤에 바로 사람을 쓰는 오류: 한국어의 «나에게 말했다»를 직역하여He said me that...이라고 하는 경우가 많습니다. 이는 한국어의 조사 '-에게'를 영어의 목적어 위치로 착각하기 때문입니다. 반드시He said to me라고 하거나He told me로 바꿔야 합니다.
- 1
tell뒤에to를 쓰는 오류:He told to me that...이라고 하는 실수입니다.tell은 4형식 동사처럼 목적어를 바로 취하므로to가 필요 없습니다. 한국어의 어순 습관 때문에 전치사를 넣어야 할 것 같은 심리적 불안감이 작용하는 것입니다.
- 1
tell뒤에 목적어를 생략하는 오류:He told that he was tired와 같이 쓰는 경우입니다. 한국어는 주어나 목적어를 자주 생략하지만, 영어의tell은 반드시 '누구에게' 말했는지 명시해야 합니다.He said that he was tired라고 하거나,He told me that he was tired라고 해야 올바른 문장이 됩니다.
say와 tell을 비교할 때 혼동하기 쉬운 구조들을 정리했습니다.tell이 훨씬 더 '관계 지향적'이라는 것을 알 수 있습니다. say는 혼잣말을 할 때도 쓸 수 있지만, tell은 반드시 듣는 사람이 존재해야 성립하는 동사입니다.- 1Q:
He said to me대신He told me를 써도 되나요?
He told me가 훨씬 더 일반적이고 자연스러운 표현입니다. say to는 좀 더 격식 있거나 강조를 할 때 사용합니다.- 1Q:
tell은 항상 사람을 써야 하나요?
tell은 '정보를 전해주다'라는 뜻이므로, 그 정보를 받는 대상이 문장에 포함되어야 합니다. 만약 대상이 없다면 say를 사용하세요.- 1Q:
say를 명령문으로 쓸 수 있나요?
Say it again!처럼 말의 내용을 다시 말해달라고 할 때는 가능합니다. 하지만 누군가에게 행동을 지시할 때는 Tell me to do it처럼 tell을 사용하는 것이 맞습니다.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
| 동사 | 용법 | 직접화법 예시 | 간접화법 예시 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
say
|
일반적인 전달, 누구에게 말했는지 직접적인 목적어가 없을 때.
|
`He said, "I'm tired." `
|
`He said he was tired.`
|
|
say to
|
누구에게 말했는지 명시하고 싶을 때 사용하지만, 덜 일반적이에요.
|
`She said to me, "It's late." `
|
`She said to me that it was late.`
|
|
tell
|
항상 직접 목적어(누구에게 말했는지)가 뒤에 와야 해요.
|
`He told me, "Come here!" `
|
`He told me to come there.`
|
|
tell
|
지시, 정보, 이야기, 비밀, 소식을 전달할 때 사용해요.
|
`She told her friend, "I have a secret." `
|
`She told her friend she had a secret.`
|
|
tell
|
명령을 전달할 때는 `tell` + 목적어 + 동사원형을 써요.
|
`My boss told us, "Finish by Friday." `
|
`My boss told us to finish by Friday.`
|
|
say
|
`that` 절과 함께 쓸 때, `that`은 자주 생략될 수 있어요.
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
`He said (that) he would be late.`
|
|
tell
|
`that` 절과 함께 쓸 때, `that`은 선택사항이지만 목적어는 절대 생략할 수 없어요.
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
`She told them (that) she loved the gift.`
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
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)
Say vs. Tell: 핵심 차이점
SAY
- 일반적인 전달 말 자체에 초점
- 직접 목적어 없음 'to + 목적어'를 제외하고
- 진술 He said it was cold.
- 고정 표현 Say hello, say goodbye
TELL
- 특정 듣는 사람 항상 목적어가 필요함
- 정보 She told me her name.
- 명령/지시 Tell him to wait.
- 고정 표현 Tell a story, tell the truth
Say/Tell 연어 및 표현
SAY는 이럴 때 써요...
- • Say hello/goodbye
- • Say sorry
- • Say thanks
- • Say a prayer
- • Say nothing
TELL은 이럴 때 써요...
- • Tell a story
- • Tell a lie
- • Tell the truth
- • Tell a joke
- • Tell the time
- • Tell a secret
둘 다 가능하지만 의미가 달라요
- • Say what you think
- • Tell someone what you think
무생물
- • The sign says...
- • The book says...
- • The note says...
Say 또는 Tell 선택하기: 결정 흐름도
동사 바로 뒤에 직접 목적어(사람/사람들)가 있나요?
명령이나 지시, 또는 이야기/거짓말/진실을 전달하는 건가요?
Say vs. Tell: 빠른 비교
수준별 예문
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.
혼동하기 쉬운
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.
자주 하는 실수
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.
문장 패턴
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.
듣는 사람이 있는지 항상 확인하기
Did she tell *you*?
이야기는 'say'하지 않아요!
tell a story예요. 마찬가지로 '거짓말을 하다'는 tell a lie, '농담을 하다'는 tell a joke, '진실을 말하다'는 tell the truth, '시간을 말하다'는 tell the time처럼 'tell'을 쓴답니다. 이 표현들에서는 'say'를 절대 쓰지 마세요! I told him a funny story.
'tell'은 '정보 전달'이라고 생각해요
She told me about her trip.
자막에서는 'that'을 생략할 때가 많아요
He said he was tired.
지난 일들을 이야기하면서 연습하기
I told my friend what happened.
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'.
발음
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.
암기하기
기억법
TELL needs a TAIL (a person at the end of the verb). SAY is for what you SPAY (speak/display).
시각적 연상
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**.
Word Web
챌린지
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.
문화 노트
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).
대화 시작하기
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?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
She ___ me she couldn't make it to the party.
Find and fix the mistake:
The news reporter told that the storm was approaching.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
주어 + said + (that) + 전달 절입니다.Score: /3
연습 문제
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
12 exercisesMy coach always ___ us to train harder.
The weather forecast told it would rain tomorrow.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'My professor told me to read chapter three.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the reported verb with the correct structure:
The sign ___ 'No Parking'.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'She said she would call me back.'
He told a lie on his resume.
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the sentence beginning with the correct continuation:
Score: /12
자주 묻는 질문 (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
Learn These First
관련 동영상
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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