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A2 verb #3,000 most common 9 min read

劝告

quan gao Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 劝告 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 劝告 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 劝告 (quàngào) as a way to say 'tell someone to do something good.' Even though it is a bit advanced for A1, you might hear it when a teacher says 'Listen to me!' or 'I advise you to study.' You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that it means 'advice' and it is usually about doing the right thing. For example, 'Mama quàngào wǒ' (Mom advises me). It is a helpful word to recognize because it shows that someone is trying to help you. In simple Chinese, you might use '说' (shuō - say) instead, but '劝告' is more specific for giving help or warnings.

At the A2 level, you should start using 劝告 (quàngào) in basic structures. You can use it to talk about parents, teachers, or doctors giving advice. The most common pattern is 'A 劝告 B + Action.' For example, '医生劝告我多喝水' (The doctor advises me to drink more water). You can also use it as a noun with '听' (tīng - listen), as in '听劝告' (listen to advice). This is very useful for daily life conversations about health, school, and safety. It helps you express more than just a simple suggestion; it shows you are talking about something important.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 劝告 (quàngào) as both a verb and a noun in various contexts. You can start using modifiers like '善意的' (shànyì de - well-intentioned) or '有用的' (yǒuyòng de - useful) to describe the advice. You should also understand the difference between 劝告 and 建议 (jiànyì). Use 劝告 when you want to emphasize that the advice is for the person's own good or to prevent a mistake. You can also use the structure '在...的劝告下' (under the advice of...) to show how someone's decision was influenced. For example, '在朋友的劝告下，他戒烟了' (Under his friend's advice, he quit smoking).

At the B2 level, you can use 劝告 (quàngào) in more formal and abstract contexts. You might see it in news articles or formal letters. You should be able to distinguish it from more intense words like 忠告 (zhōnggào - sincere advice) or 诫 (jiè - to warn/admonish). You can use it to discuss social issues, such as the government advising citizens on public health. You should also be familiar with common idioms and collocations like '不听劝告' (refusing to listen to advice) and '再三劝告' (repeatedly advising). Your usage should reflect an understanding of the social hierarchy and the tone required for different situations.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced command of 劝告 (quàngào). You can use it to describe complex interpersonal dynamics or diplomatic relations. You might use it in academic writing to discuss the efficacy of counseling or advisory boards. You should be able to use it interchangeably with other formal synonyms depending on the desired register. For example, in a legal or high-stakes corporate environment, you might use '忠告' or '规劝' instead. You should also be able to analyze how the use of '劝告' in a text reflects the speaker's attitude and the relationship between the characters.

At the C2 level, 劝告 (quàngào) is a word you use with absolute precision. You understand its historical roots and how it differs from ancient terms like '谏' (jiàn - to advise a monarch). You can use it in sophisticated literary analysis or high-level negotiation. You might explore the philosophical implications of '劝告' in Confucian thought, where advising others is a moral duty. Your usage will be indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing it in complex sentence structures with varied rhetorical devices. You can also handle the word in highly specialized fields like psychology, law, or international diplomacy with ease.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

劝告 in 30 Seconds

A formal and serious way to say 'advise' or 'counsel' in Chinese.
Used as a verb (to advise) or a noun (advice/admonition).
Carries a tone of concern, authority, or moral guidance.
Commonly used by parents, doctors, and in formal warnings.

The Chinese term 劝告 (quàngào) is a multi-faceted word that primarily functions as a verb meaning 'to advise' or 'to counsel,' but it can also serve as a noun meaning 'advice' or 'admonition.' At its core, it carries a weight of sincerity and concern. Unlike a casual suggestion, a 劝告 usually stems from a desire to prevent someone from making a mistake or to guide them toward a better path based on experience or moral standing. When you use this word, you are not just offering an alternative; you are actively trying to persuade the listener to adopt a specific course of action for their own benefit.

Interpersonal Dynamics: In Chinese culture, 劝告 is often used by elders toward juniors, teachers toward students, or friends toward one another when a serious situation arises. It implies a level of responsibility on the part of the speaker.

他再三劝告我不要在深夜独自外出。(He repeatedly advised me not to go out alone late at night.)

The word is composed of two characters: 劝 (quàn), which means to encourage, urge, or persuade, and 告 (gào), which means to tell or inform. Together, they create a sense of 'persuasive telling.' It is more formal than 建议 (jiànyì - suggestion) and more serious than 说话 (shuōhuà - speaking). When someone gives you a 劝告, they are often warning you about potential negative consequences. For instance, if a doctor tells you to stop smoking, that is a 劝告. If a friend tells you that a certain outfit looks good, that is more likely a 建议.

Grammatical Flexibility: It can be used as a verb: 老师劝告学生要诚实 (The teacher advised the students to be honest). It can also be a noun: 这是一个善意的劝告 (This is a well-intentioned piece of advice).

我接受了你的劝告。(I accepted your advice.)

In modern usage, 劝告 is frequently heard in professional settings, medical consultations, and family discussions. It carries a tone of authority or deep concern. If you are translating 'counsel' in a legal or psychological context, 劝告 might be too general; however, for general life guidance, it is the perfect fit. It is also worth noting that the negative form '不听劝告' (bù tīng quàngào) is a very common idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is stubborn or ignores good advice, often leading to regret.

Social Context: Using 劝告 shows that you care about the listener's well-being. It is a 'high-investment' word compared to 'tell' or 'say.'

医生的劝告对他起到了作用。(The doctor's advice worked on him.)

Using 劝告 correctly involves understanding its placement in a sentence as either a verb or a noun. As a verb, it follows the pattern: Subject + 劝告 + Object + (to do something). This structure is very similar to the English 'advise someone to do something.' However, in Chinese, the action being advised is often a preventive measure or a moral obligation.

Verb Usage Pattern: Structure: [Person A] 劝告 [Person B] [Action]. Example: 我劝告你别喝那么多咖啡 (I advise you not to drink so much coffee).

父母经常劝告孩子要努力学习。(Parents often advise children to study hard.)

When used as a noun, 劝告 often follows verbs like 听 (tīng - listen to), 接受 (jiēshòu - accept), or 给 (gěi - give). You will often see it modified by adjectives like 善意的 (shànyì de - well-intentioned), 严厉的 (yánlì de - stern), or 友好的 (yǒuhǎo de - friendly). This noun form is essential for describing the reception of advice. For instance, '他没听我的劝告' means 'He didn't listen to my advice.' This implies that the advice was given, but the recipient chose to ignore it, usually with the subtext that they will regret it.

Noun Usage Pattern: Structure: [Adjective] + 的 + 劝告. Example: 这是一个非常有用的劝告 (This is a very useful piece of advice).

他不听任何人的劝告。(He doesn't listen to anyone's advice.)

Another common structure is using 劝告 with the passive voice or within a larger clause. For example, '在朋友的劝告下，他终于决定戒烟了' (Under his friend's advice, he finally decided to quit smoking). This '在...下' structure is very common in formal writing and news reporting. It shows the influence of the advice on the subject's eventual decision. Furthermore, 劝告 can be used with adverbs like '再三' (zàisān - repeatedly) or '多方' (duōfāng - in many ways) to emphasize the effort put into the persuasion.

Negative Advice: 劝告 is very frequently used to tell someone NOT to do something. Structure: 劝告某人不要/别 [Action].

我劝告你不要轻举妄动。(I advise you not to act rashly.)

In daily life, 劝告 is a staple of serious conversations. You will hear it in hospitals when doctors give lifestyle recommendations. A doctor might say, '我必须劝告你，如果你再不锻炼，身体会出大问题的' (I must advise you, if you don't exercise, your body will have big problems). Here, the word carries professional weight and a warning of future consequences. It is not just a friendly tip; it is medical counsel.

In the Workplace: Managers use 劝告 to correct employee behavior without being overly aggressive. It’s a way to say 'I'm telling you this for the good of the company and your career.'

经理劝告他要准时上班。(The manager advised him to be on time for work.)

You will also find 劝告 in literature and news media. In stories, an elder might give a '忠告' (sincere advice) which is a more intense version of 劝告. In news reports, you might read about international bodies giving 劝告 to governments. For example, '联合国劝告各国加强环境保护' (The UN advises all countries to strengthen environmental protection). In this context, it takes on a formal, diplomatic tone. It is used to express a strong recommendation that lacks the force of law but carries significant moral or political weight.

In Legal and Official Contexts: Police or officials might '劝告' citizens to stay away from dangerous areas. It’s a formal warning meant to ensure public safety.

警方劝告市民注意防范诈骗。(The police advise citizens to be wary of fraud.)

Lastly, in the digital age, you might see this word in 'Terms of Service' or health warnings on apps. For example, a gaming app might '劝告' players to take a break after two hours of play. In all these scenarios, the common thread is the speaker's position of knowledge or authority providing guidance to someone who needs it. It bridges the gap between a soft suggestion and a hard command, making it an essential word for navigating social and professional hierarchies in China.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 劝告 (quàngào) with 建议 (jiànyì). While both can be translated as 'advise' or 'suggest,' their tones and contexts are quite different. 建议 is neutral and often used for collaborative ideas, like suggesting a restaurant. 劝告 is more serious and usually involves a moral or safety concern. You wouldn't '劝告' someone to try the spicy tofu; you would '建议' it. Conversely, if someone is driving too fast, you wouldn't just '建议' them to slow down; you would '劝告' them.

Mistake 1: Misusing Tone: Incorrect: 我劝告你去喝这杯茶。(Too serious for tea). Correct: 我建议你去喝这杯茶。

注意：劝告通常带有“为了你好”的含义。(Note: Quàngào usually implies 'for your own good'.)

Another common error is the grammatical structure. English speakers often want to say 'give advice' as '给建议' or '给劝告.' While '给劝告' is technically possible, it is much more natural to use '提出劝告' (tíchū quàngào - put forward advice) or simply use it as a verb. Also, remember that 劝告 cannot be followed directly by a noun that isn't a person. You cannot '劝告一个计划' (advise a plan); you must '劝告某人接受一个计划' (advise someone to accept a plan).

Mistake 2: Using it as a Noun inappropriately: Avoid: 我有很多劝告。(I have many pieces of advice). Better: 我有很多建议 (I have many suggestions) or 我有一番劝告要对你说。

他不听我的劝告，结果迟到了。(He didn't listen to my advice and ended up being late.)

Finally, some learners confuse 劝告 with 劝说 (quànshuō). 劝说 focuses more on the process of persuasion and the act of talking someone into something, often involving a lot of dialogue. 劝告 is more about the content of the advice itself. If you spend an hour trying to get your friend to join the gym, you are '劝说' them. The specific piece of advice you give ('You should join the gym for your health') is the '劝告.' Understanding this distinction helps in describing social interactions more accurately.

To truly master 劝告, you must see how it fits into the broader family of words related to advice and persuasion. The most common alternative is 建议 (jiànyì). As discussed, 建议 is the 'go-to' word for suggestions, ideas, and proposals. It is democratic and less authoritative. If you are in a meeting brainstorming ideas, you are offering 建议, not 劝告.

Comparison: 劝告 vs. 建议: 劝告: Serious, often preventive, authoritative. (e.g., Doctors, parents).
建议: Neutral, constructive, collaborative. (e.g., Friends, colleagues).

Another similar word is 忠告 (zhōnggào). This is essentially a 'sincere 劝告.' The character 忠 (zhōng) means loyal or sincere. A 忠告 is usually given by someone who deeply cares about you, like a best friend or a mentor. It carries even more emotional weight than 劝告. If 劝告 is a doctor's advice, 忠告 is a father's dying wish or a best friend's heartfelt warning. It is often used in the phrase '最后的一点忠告' (one last piece of sincere advice).

Comparison: 劝告 vs. 忠告: 劝告: General advice/counsel.
忠告: Deeply sincere, heartfelt advice from a place of loyalty.

我给你一个忠告：永远不要背叛你的朋友。(I give you a piece of sincere advice: never betray your friends.)

Then there is 劝说 (quànshuō). While 劝告 is the advice itself, 劝说 is the act of persuading. If you are '劝说' someone, you are in the middle of a long conversation trying to change their mind. '劝告' is more static—it's the counsel you provide. Finally, 提议 (tíyì) is more like a formal 'motion' or 'proposal' in a meeting. For example, '我提议休会' (I move to adjourn). Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that perfectly matches the social hierarchy and the emotional intensity of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, the character '劝' was often used to mean 'to work hard' or 'to encourage labor,' reflecting the agrarian roots of the culture where encouraging others to work was a primary social duty.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɕʰɥɛn˥˩ kɑʊ̯˥˩/

US /tɕʰɥɛn˥˩ kɑʊ̯˥˩/

Both syllables carry equal stress as they both have the 4th tone.

Rhymes With

见告 (jiàngào) 通告 (tōnggào) 报告 (bàogào) 警告 (jǐnggào) 宣告 (xuānggào) 祷告 (dǎogào) 奉告 (fènggào) 布告 (bùgào)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'quàn' as 'kwan'. Remember the 'q' is a palatal sound.
Using the wrong tone for 'gào'. It must be falling, not rising.
Confusing 'quàn' with 'quan' (1st tone).
Failing to aspirate the 'q' sound.
Pronouncing 'gào' like 'ga-oh' instead of a single diphthong.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but common in literature and news.

Writing 4/5

Writing '劝' and '告' correctly requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once the 4th tone is mastered.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with other 'quàn' words if the context isn't clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

说 (shuō) 给 (gěi) 听 (tīng) 不要 (bùyào) 建议 (jiànyì)

Learn Next

忠告 (zhōnggào) 劝说 (quànshuō) 告诫 (gàojiè) 谆谆 (zhūnzhūn) 苦口婆心 (kǔkǒupóxīn)

Advanced

谏言 (jiànyán) 规劝 (guīquàn) 训诫 (xùnjiè) 劝勉 (quànmiǎn) 进言 (jìnyán)

Grammar to Know

Pivotal Sentences (兼语句)

我劝告他(Object/Subject)别去(Action).

Negative Imperatives with 劝告

劝告某人不要做某事。

Noun Modification with 的

老师的劝告。

Prepositional Phrases with 在...下

在医生的劝告下。

Adverbial placement before 劝告

他再三劝告我。

Examples by Level

妈妈劝告我要吃水果。

Mom advises me to eat fruit.

Subject + 劝告 + Object + Action.

老师劝告我们要努力。

The teacher advises us to work hard.

劝告 is used here as a verb.

他不听我的劝告。

He doesn't listen to my advice.

劝告 is used here as a noun.

我劝告你快点走。

I advise you to go quickly.

Simple verb usage.

这是好的劝告。

This is good advice.

Noun preceded by an adjective.

医生劝告他别喝酒。

The doctor advises him not to drink alcohol.

劝告 + person + 别 + action.

谢谢你的劝告。

Thank you for your advice.

Using 劝告 as a noun in a polite phrase.

他劝告我早点睡觉。

He advised me to go to bed early.

Standard verb structure.

我劝告你不要在外面玩太久。

I advise you not to play outside for too long.

Negative advice using '不要'.

听从父母的劝告是很重要的。

It is important to follow your parents' advice.

劝告 as a noun within a subject clause.

朋友劝告我多练习汉语。

A friend advised me to practice Chinese more.

Focus on the 'A 劝告 B' structure.

他给了我一个很有用的劝告。

He gave me a very useful piece of advice.

Using '一个' as a classifier for the noun 劝告.

医生劝告病人要按时吃药。

The doctor advised the patient to take medicine on time.

Formal verb usage.

我不听劝告，结果感冒了。

I didn't listen to the advice and ended up catching a cold.

Using '不听劝告' as a reason for a result.

姐姐劝告我要对人有礼貌。

My older sister advised me to be polite to people.

Moral advice context.

他再三劝告我不要去那里。

He repeatedly advised me not to go there.

Using the adverb '再三' for emphasis.

在老师的劝告下，他重新回到了学校。

Under the teacher's advice, he returned to school.

Using the '在...下' structure.

我必须劝告你，这样做是很危险的。

I must advise you that doing this is very dangerous.

Using '必须' to add urgency.

他的劝告对他产生了很大的影响。

His advice had a great influence on him.

劝告 as the subject of the sentence.

虽然他是好意劝告，但我还是不能接受。

Although he gave well-intentioned advice, I still cannot accept it.

Using '虽然...但是' with 劝告.

专家劝告大家要保持健康的饮食习惯。

Experts advise everyone to maintain healthy eating habits.

Formal context with '专家'.

你为什么不听从医生的劝告呢？

Why don't you follow the doctor's advice?

Rhetorical question with '为什么不'.

他劝告我不要把时间浪费在游戏上。

He advised me not to waste time on games.

Verb usage with a complex action clause.

我非常感激你给我的那些劝告。

I am very grateful for the advice you gave me.

Using '那些' to pluralize the advice.

由于他不听劝告，最终导致了公司的亏损。

Because he didn't listen to advice, it eventually led to the company's loss.

Using '由于' to show cause and effect.

经理对他进行了严厉的劝告，希望他能改进工作态度。

The manager gave him a stern admonition, hoping he could improve his work attitude.

Using '对...进行劝告' as a formal structure.

面对朋友的真诚劝告，他感到非常羞愧。

Facing his friend's sincere advice, he felt very ashamed.

Using '面对' to set the scene.

政府劝告市民在暴雨期间尽量减少外出。

The government advises citizens to minimize going out during heavy rain.

Official administrative context.

尽管大家都劝告他，他还是坚持己见。

Despite everyone's advice, he still stuck to his own opinion.

Using '尽管...还是' for contrast.

这篇文章旨在劝告年轻人珍惜青春。

This article aims to advise young people to cherish their youth.

Using '旨在' (aims to) with 劝告.

他总是把别人的劝告当成耳边风。

He always treats other people's advice as wind passing his ears (ignores it).

Using the idiom '当成耳边风'.

在法律专家的劝告下，他们达成了和解。

Under the advice of legal experts, they reached a settlement.

Professional/legal context.

这种行为违背了长辈们当初的谆谆劝告。

This behavior goes against the earnest advice given by the elders.

Using the literary adjective '谆谆' (earnest/painstaking).

他不但没有反思，反而对同事的劝告感到反感。

Instead of reflecting, he felt resentful toward his colleague's advice.

Using '不但没有...反而' for strong contrast.

历史的教训劝告我们要警惕任何形式的极端主义。

The lessons of history advise us to be wary of any form of extremism.

Abstract subject (lessons of history).

在多次劝告无效后，校方决定对他进行处分。

After multiple ineffective warnings, the school decided to discipline him.

Using '无效' (ineffective) to describe the advice.

她那番苦口婆心的劝告终于打动了他的心。

Her earnest and well-meaning advice finally moved his heart.

Using the idiom '苦口婆心' (earnest and well-meaning).

我们需要对这种盲目投资的行为提出严正劝告。

We need to put forward a solemn warning against this kind of blind investment behavior.

Using '提出严正劝告' for formal warning.

他以一种近乎命令的口吻发出了最后的劝告。

He issued a final warning in a tone that was almost commanding.

Describing the 'tone' (口吻) of the advice.

劝告他人时，应当注意方式方法，以免产生误会。

When advising others, one should pay attention to the method to avoid misunderstandings.

General principle using '应当'.

其文辞虽婉转，实则包含着对后辈的深切劝告。

Although the wording is subtle, it actually contains deep advice for the younger generation.

Literary style with '虽...实则'.

面对舆论的强烈劝告，该机构不得不重新审视其政策。

In the face of strong public advice (pressure), the agency had to re-examine its policies.

Metaphorical use of '劝告' as public pressure.

这种带有家长式作风的劝告，在现代职场中往往难以奏效。

This kind of paternalistic advice often fails to work in the modern workplace.

Critical analysis of the term's application.

他对此番劝告置若罔闻，终究酿成了无法挽回的悲剧。

He turned a deaf ear to this advice, which ultimately led to an irreversible tragedy.

Using the idiom '置若罔闻' (to turn a deaf ear).

国际社会劝告双方保持克制，通过对话解决争端。

The international community advises both sides to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through dialogue.

High-level diplomatic terminology.

劝告的艺术在于洞察人心，而非仅仅是言语的堆砌。

The art of advising lies in insight into the human heart, not just the piling up of words.

Philosophical statement.

他那番微言大义的劝告，至今仍让我记忆犹新。

His advice, which contained profound meaning in few words, remains fresh in my memory to this day.

Using the idiom '微言大义' (profound meaning in simple words).

在某种程度上，法律不仅是强制，也是对公民的一种行为劝告。

To some extent, law is not only coercion but also a form of behavioral advice to citizens.

Theoretical/legal philosophy context.

Common Collocations

听从劝告

不听劝告

再三劝告

善意的劝告

接受劝告

严厉的劝告

提出劝告

无视劝告

友好的劝告

一再劝告

Common Phrases

不听劝告

— Refusing to listen to advice. Often used when someone makes a mistake after being warned.

他不听劝告，非要在那儿游泳。

苦口婆心

— To advise someone with great patience and earnestness. Literally 'bitter mouth and grandmother's heart'.

老师苦口婆心地劝告他回学校。

置若罔闻

— To turn a deaf ear to advice. To act as if one hasn't heard anything.

对于朋友的劝告，他置若罔闻。

逆耳忠言

— Unpleasant advice that is good for one. Sincere advice often grates on the ear.

虽然是逆耳忠言，但你一定要听。

劝告无效

— Advice that has no effect. The person continues their behavior despite being advised.

在多次劝告无效后，他被辞退了。

善意劝告

— Well-intentioned advice. Given out of kindness.

请相信我这是善意劝告。

最后劝告

— A final warning or piece of advice before action is taken.

这是我对你最后的劝告。

良言苦口

— Good advice is often hard to swallow. Similar to 'bitter medicine'.

良言苦口，希望你能明白。

多加劝告

— To give more advice or to advise more strongly.

我们要对他多加劝告。

听人劝告

— To be open to other people's advice.

你要学会听人劝告。

Often Confused With

劝告 vs 建议 (jiànyì)

建议 is for suggestions; 劝告 is for more serious or moral advice.

劝告 vs 警告 (jǐnggào)

警告 is a warning about punishment; 劝告 is advice for your own good.

劝告 vs 劝说 (quànshuō)

劝说 is the process of persuading; 劝告 is the advice itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"苦口婆心"

— Persuading someone with endless patience and kind intentions.

他苦口婆心地劝告儿子不要放弃学业。

Common

"忠言逆耳"

— Honest advice is often hard to hear but beneficial.

忠言逆耳利于行，你应该听听他的建议。

Formal

"置若罔闻"

— To turn a deaf ear to something; to ignore completely.

他对他人的劝告置若罔闻，一意孤行。

Literary

"谆谆教导"

— To teach and advise earnestly and tirelessly.

老师的谆谆教导我们永远不会忘记。

Formal

"耳提面命"

— To give instructions or advice personally and repeatedly.

父亲对他耳提面命，希望他能成才。

Literary

"良药苦口"

— Good medicine tastes bitter (good advice is hard to take).

良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行。

Common

"迷途知返"

— To realize one's error and return to the right path (often after advice).

在朋友的劝告下，他终于迷途知返。

Literary

"一意孤行"

— To insist on doing things one's own way, ignoring all advice.

他不听劝告，非要一意孤行。

Common

"改邪归正"

— To give up evil and return to the right path.

在法官的劝告下，他决定改邪归正。

Formal

"虚心听取"

— To listen to advice with an open and humble mind.

我们应当虚心听取群众的劝告。

Formal

Easily Confused

劝告 vs 建议

Both mean 'to advise'.

建议 is neutral and used for options. 劝告 is serious and used for warnings or moral guidance.

我建议看这部电影 (Suggestion). 我劝告你别抽烟 (Advice/Warning).

劝告 vs 忠告

Both mean 'advice'.

忠告 is more sincere and often comes from a close friend or is very important.

这是我给你的最后忠告。

劝告 vs 警告

Both involve telling someone what to do.

警告 is a threat of negative consequences from an authority. 劝告 is helpful guidance.

警察警告他不要停车。医生劝告他多休息。

劝告 vs 劝说

Both involve 'quàn'.

劝说 focuses on the act of talking someone into something. 劝告 is the content of the advice.

我劝说了半天，他才听我的劝告。

劝告 vs 提醒

Both involve giving information.

提醒 is just to remind someone of something they might forget. 劝告 is to influence their decision.

提醒我带伞。劝告我别去。

Sentence Patterns

A 劝告 B 做某事

我劝告你多喝水。

A 劝告 B 别/不要做某事

妈妈劝告我别玩手机。

不听 A 的劝告

他不听医生的劝告。

在 A 的劝告下

在老师的劝告下，他开始努力了。

对...进行劝告

经理对他进行了劝告。

接受/听从...的劝告

他决定听从专家的劝告。

苦口婆心地劝告

奶奶苦口婆心地劝告他要节约。

置...劝告于不顾

他置大家的劝告于不顾。

Word Family

Nouns

劝告者 (quàngàozhě - advisor/counselor)

劝诫 (quànjiè - admonition)

Verbs

劝 (quàn - to urge/persuade)

劝说 (quànshuō - to persuade)

劝解 (quànjiě - to mediate/reconcile)

劝诱 (quànyòu - to induce/lure)

建议 (jiànyì)

忠告 (zhōnggào)

警告 (jǐnggào)

教导 (jiàodǎo)

指引 (zhǐyǐn)

How to Use It

frequency

Highly common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using 劝告 for casual suggestions. → 使用建议 (jiànyì).
劝告 is too serious for things like choosing a movie or a dress.
Saying '劝告一个计划'. → 劝告某人接受一个计划.
劝告 must be directed at a person, not an inanimate object or abstract plan.
Confusing 劝告 with 劝说. → Use 劝说 for the act of talking/persuading; 劝告 for the advice itself.
劝说 emphasizes the process and the time spent talking.
Using the wrong tone for 'gào'. → Ensure it is the 4th tone (falling).
Wrong tones can lead to misunderstanding the word as 'report' or other meanings.
Forgetting the '的' when using it as a noun attribute. → 老师的劝告 (The teacher's advice).
In Chinese, the possessive 'de' is usually required between the giver and the advice.

Tips

Verb-Object Structure

Always place the person being advised directly after '劝告'. Example: 劝告他 (advise him).

Choice of Word

If the advice is about a serious matter like health or safety, '劝告' is better than '建议'.

Respecting Hierarchy

Be careful when advising elders; use '建议' or '提议' to sound more humble.

Common Idioms

Learn '不听劝告' as a single unit; it's used very frequently.

Tone of Voice

In speech, the 4th tones in 'quàngào' should be clear to convey seriousness.

Formal Contexts

In essays, '在...的劝告下' is an excellent way to show influence.

Key Verbs

Listen for '听' or '接受' to identify if '劝告' is being used as a noun.

Character Breakdown

Remember that '劝' has '力' (strength) – it takes effort to persuade!

Showing Concern

Using '劝告' shows you care about the other person's well-being.

Vs. Warning

Unlike '警告' (warning), '劝告' usually implies a helpful intention.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Quàn' as 'Quantum' effort to persuade, and 'Gào' as 'Go' tell them. You are putting in effort to tell them what to do.

Visual Association

Imagine a grandmother (婆心) holding a bitter (苦口) medicine but with a kind face, trying to get you to take it. This is the essence of 劝告.

Word Web

Advice Doctor Parents Warning Safety Listen Persuade Moral

Challenge

Try to use '劝告' in a sentence today when you want to tell a friend to do something for their own good, like '我劝告你多喝水' (I advise you to drink more water).

Word Origin

The word is composed of '劝' (quàn) and '告' (gào). '劝' historically means to exert effort or to encourage. Its left part '𢻽' represents a person and the right part '力' represents strength. '告' means to inform or announce, originally depicting a mouth '口' and a cow '牛' (representing a sacrificial announcement).

Original meaning: To encourage and inform someone of the correct path.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when giving 劝告 to someone of higher status. It might be seen as disrespectful unless they specifically asked for it.

In English, 'advise' can be very formal or professional. In Chinese, '劝告' is also formal but can be very personal between family members.

Confucius often gave '劝告' to his disciples regarding moral conduct. The 'Zizhi Tongjian' (Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance) is essentially a book of '劝告' for emperors. Modern Chinese health campaigns often use '劝告' in their slogans.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Medical

医生劝告戒烟
劝告患者休息
听从医生劝告
专业医疗劝告

Parenting

父母的劝告
劝告孩子努力
不听父母劝告
耐心地劝告

Safety

警方劝告市民
劝告远离危险
严厉的劝告
安全劝告

Professional

经理的劝告
劝告改进工作
接受同事劝告
提出职业劝告

Friendship

朋友间的劝告
真诚的劝告
听我一句劝告
互相劝告

Conversation Starters

"我可以给你一个劝告吗？ (Can I give you a piece of advice?)"

"你为什么不听他的劝告呢？ (Why don't you listen to his advice?)"

"这是我听过最有用的劝告。 (This is the most useful advice I've ever heard.)"

"如果你当时听了我的劝告，就不会这样了。 (If you had listened to my advice then, it wouldn't be like this.)"

"在你的生活中，谁给你的劝告最多？ (In your life, who gives you the most advice?)"

Journal Prompts

写一次你没有听从别人劝告的经历。 (Write about a time you didn't follow someone's advice.)

谁给过你最有意义的劝告？ (Who gave you the most meaningful piece of advice?)

如果你可以给年轻时的自己一个劝告，那会是什么？ (If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?)

为什么有时候我们很难接受别人的劝告？ (Why is it sometimes hard for us to accept other people's advice?)

描述一次你成功劝告朋友的经历。 (Describe a time you successfully advised a friend.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is neutral to formal. It is used in daily life between family and friends but also in professional settings like hospitals and news reports.

Yes, but it's more natural to say '提出劝告' or just use '劝告' as a verb. For example, '他给了我一些劝告' is acceptable.

'劝' is the short, more informal verb. '劝告' is the full, more formal word that can also be a noun.

Usually, it's used for 'corrective' things—preventing mistakes or improving health. For purely positive suggestions like 'you should try this cake,' use 建议.

You can say '我不听他的劝告' or '我无视了他的劝告'.

Yes, managers use it to advise employees on performance or professional behavior.

It is less common due to cultural hierarchy. A younger person would more likely use '建议' to be polite.

It's a common idiom describing the act of giving advice very earnestly and patiently.

Often, yes. It suggests that the current path might lead to trouble.

Common classifiers include '个' (gè) or '番' (fān) for a round of advice.