To tattle or complain about someone to an authority figure to seek intervention.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To report someone's misconduct to an authority figure.
- Often used for children tattling to parents or teachers.
- Carries a slightly negative connotation of being a troublemaker.
Overview
- 1概览：告状是一个动宾结构的词，核心含义是“向上级或长辈揭发他人的过错”。它通常带有主观意图，即希望通过第三方的权威力量来解决矛盾或惩罚对方。2) 使用模式：常见的结构包括“向[某人]告状”或“去[某人]那里告状”。在口语中，它常带有负面评价，暗示这种行为可能被视为“小题大做”或“搬弄是非”。3) 常见语境：最常出现在学校场景（学生向老师告状）和家庭场景（孩子向父母告状）。在职场中，它指越级汇报或向老板举报同事的过失，往往会破坏同事关系。4) 近义词辨析：与“投诉”相比，“告状”更侧重于人际冲突和非正式的行为，通常带有主观情绪；而“投诉”多用于商业环境，针对服务或产品质量，较为正式。
Examples
小明总是喜欢向老师告状。
everydayXiao Ming always likes to tattle to the teacher.
他因为工作失误被同事向经理告状了。
formalHe was reported to the manager by his colleague for a work error.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
别跟我告状
Don't tattle to me.
Often Confused With
Refers to formal complaints about products or services, usually in a commercial context.
Refers to reporting illegal activities or serious violations to authorities.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '告状' is predominantly informal and carries a social stigma. Avoid using it to describe official reporting procedures in a professional environment. It is most frequently used when discussing interpersonal dynamics among children or peers.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '告状' for any kind of reporting. Remember that it implies an emotional or petty motivation. Use '汇报' for work and '投诉' for consumer issues.
Tips
Focus on the intent
Remember that '告状' implies a desire for punishment or intervention from a higher authority. It is rarely used for neutral information sharing.
Avoid using it for professional reporting
In a formal business setting, use '汇报' (report) instead of '告状' to avoid sounding like you are tattling on a colleague.
Childhood stigma
In Chinese culture, children are often taught not to '告状' to encourage independence and conflict resolution skills among peers.
Word Origin
The word originates from ancient legal practices where people would present a '状' (a written statement of grievance) to a magistrate. Over time, it evolved into the colloquial act of complaining to authority figures.
Cultural Context
In Chinese schools, being labeled as someone who '告状' is socially discouraged, as it is seen as a sign of inability to resolve conflicts independently. It reflects the cultural value of 'harmony' (和) over confrontation.
Memory Tip
Think of a child pointing a finger at another while running toward a teacher. The word '告' (tell) + '状' (the situation/complaint) equals 'tattling'.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions不一定。虽然在人际交往中告状常被视为负面行为，但在涉及严重不公或违法违规时，向有关部门举报是正当的维权行为。
“报告”通常是中性的工作流程或职责要求，而“告状”往往带有私人情感和对他人的指责色彩。
通常是比当事人权力更大、地位更高的人，如老师、家长、老板或警察。
Test Yourself
小明因为弄坏了玩具，被小红去老师那里___了。
在同学之间向老师反映过错，用“告状”最符合语境。
Score: /1
Summary
To tattle or complain about someone to an authority figure to seek intervention.
- To report someone's misconduct to an authority figure.
- Often used for children tattling to parents or teachers.
- Carries a slightly negative connotation of being a troublemaker.
Focus on the intent
Remember that '告状' implies a desire for punishment or intervention from a higher authority. It is rarely used for neutral information sharing.
Avoid using it for professional reporting
In a formal business setting, use '汇报' (report) instead of '告状' to avoid sounding like you are tattling on a colleague.
Childhood stigma
In Chinese culture, children are often taught not to '告状' to encourage independence and conflict resolution skills among peers.
Examples
2 of 2小明总是喜欢向老师告状。
Xiao Ming always likes to tattle to the teacher.
他因为工作失误被同事向经理告状了。
He was reported to the manager by his colleague for a work error.
