告知 in 30 Seconds
- 告知 is the formal counterpart to the common verb 告诉.
- It is primarily used in business, legal, and medical contexts.
- It often appears in the phrase '告知义务' (duty to inform).
- It is a transitive verb requiring both a recipient and information.
The word 告知 (gàozhī) is a formal Chinese verb that translates to 'to inform' or 'to notify.' While the everyday word 告诉 (gàosù) is used in casual conversations with friends and family, 告知 carries a weight of officiality and precision. It is the language of contracts, legal notices, medical disclosures, and corporate communications. When you use 告知, you are not just 'telling' someone something; you are fulfilling a formal requirement to provide information.
- Etymological Root
- The character 告 (gào) means to tell or announce, while 知 (zhī) means to know. Together, they literally mean 'to make someone know' through a formal announcement.
- Grammatical Function
- It functions as a transitive verb, often following the pattern: Subject + 告知 + Object (Person) + Content. It can also be used in the passive voice: Object + 被告知 + Content.
- Pragmatic Weight
- Using 告知 implies a level of responsibility. In a legal context, it refers to the 'Right to Know' or the 'Duty to Inform'.
“请务必将此决定及时告知相关人员。” (Please ensure this decision is informed to the relevant personnel in a timely manner.)
“医生有义务向患者告知手术风险。” (Doctors have an obligation to inform patients of surgical risks.)
“如有变动，我们将另行告知。” (Should there be any changes, we will notify you separately.)
Using 告知 correctly requires understanding its specific syntactic environments. Unlike 告诉, which can take a double object (告诉某人某事), 告知 is often used with more formal prepositions or in specific legal constructions.
- Direct Notification: 告知某人 (Inform someone).
- Formal Requirement: 履行告知义务 (Fulfill the duty to inform).
- Passive Voice: 被告知 (To be informed/notified).
“在签署合同前，请仔细阅读权利告知书。” (Before signing the contract, please read the rights notification letter carefully.)
- Scenario A: Business
- Used when announcing policy changes or meeting results.
- Scenario B: Legal
- Used during police interrogations or court proceedings (e.g., Mirandizing).
You will encounter 告知 in environments where information transfer is regulated or official. It is a staple of 'Bureaucratic Chinese' and 'Legal Chinese'.
[Airport Announcement]
“由于天气原因，航班延误，特此告知。” (Due to weather, the flight is delayed; we hereby notify you.)
It is also frequently seen in digital privacy policies: “我们如何告知您个人信息的使用情况” (How we inform you about the use of your personal information).
The most common mistake is Register Mismatch. Learners often use 告知 when they should use 告诉, or vice versa.
- Mistake 1: Over-formalizing
- Saying “我要告知你我今天不去吃饭了” to a roommate sounds like a legal summons.
- Mistake 2: Missing the Object
- 告知 usually requires a recipient. You don't just '告知', you '告知' someone.
Understanding the nuances between synonyms helps in choosing the right word for the right context.
- 告诉 (gàosù)
- General, casual, spoken language.
- 通知 (tōngzhī)
- To notify a group or public; often implies an instruction or arrangement.
- 报告 (bàogào)
- To report to a superior; formal upward communication.
- 宣称 (xuānchēng)
- To claim or declare; often used in news reporting.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Passive voice with 被
Double objects
Formal adverbial modifiers (及时, 另行)
Nominalization of verbs
Resultative complements
Examples by Level
请告诉他。
Please tell him.
A1 uses 告诉 instead of 告知.
他没告诉我。
He didn't tell me.
Simple negation with 没.
老师告诉我了。
The teacher told me.
Completed action with 了.
我想告诉你一件事。
I want to tell you something.
Double object construction.
请告知姓名。
Please state your name (formal).
告知 used in a formal request for info.
他告诉我他的名字。
He told me his name.
Standard A1 sentence.
妈妈告诉我早点回家。
Mom told me to come home early.
Reporting a command.
谁告诉你这件事的？
Who told you this?
Interrogative sentence.
请及时告知我们。
Please inform us in time.
及时 (timely) + 告知.
如果有问题，请告知。
If there are problems, please inform.
Conditional structure.
他已经告知了大家。
He has already informed everyone.
告知 used with 已经.
请告知您的电话号码。
Please provide your phone number.
Formal request for data.
我会告知他的。
I will inform him.
Future intent with 会.
请告知出发时间。
Please inform (us) of the departure time.
Formal inquiry.
没人告知我这个消息。
No one informed me of this news.
Formal negation.
请告知您的地址。
Please inform (us) of your address.
Formal data collection.
我将尽快告知您结果。
I will inform you of the results as soon as possible.
B1 formal email style.
公司会告知员工新的规定。
The company will inform employees of the new regulations.
Subject + 告知 + Object + Content.
请务必告知我您的决定。
Please be sure to inform me of your decision.
务必 (must) adds emphasis.
他被告知需要重新提交申请。
He was informed that he needs to resubmit the application.
Passive voice with 被.
我们有责任告知公众真相。
We have a responsibility to inform the public of the truth.
Abstract object (truth).
请告知我们您的具体要求。
Please inform us of your specific requirements.
Formal business inquiry.
银行会告知客户利率的变化。
The bank will inform customers of interest rate changes.
Financial context.
我还没被告知会议的时间。
I haven't been informed of the meeting time yet.
Passive negation.
医生必须履行告知义务。
Doctors must fulfill the duty to inform.
Fixed legal/medical phrase: 告知义务.
在签署前，请阅读权利告知书。
Before signing, please read the rights notification letter.
Compound noun: 告知书.
我们将另行告知具体的时间地点。
We will notify the specific time and place separately.
另行 (separately/otherwise) + 告知.
法律规定必须告知当事人其权利。
The law stipulates that the parties must be informed of their rights.
Legal requirement context.
该决定已正式告知相关部门。
The decision has been formally communicated to the relevant departments.
Formal communication flow.
请书面告知您的意见。
Please inform us of your opinion in writing.
Adverbial modifier: 书面 (in writing).
被告人被告知了诉讼权利。
The defendant was informed of their litigation rights.
Formal legal passive.
公司未尽到告知义务。
The company failed to fulfill its duty to inform.
Negative legal phrase: 未尽到...义务.
知情告知是医学伦理的核心。
Informed consent is the core of medical ethics.
知情告知 (Informed consent) as a specialized term.
政府应及时告知公众政策变动的背景。
The government should inform the public of the background of policy changes in a timely manner.
High-level administrative context.
在信息不对称的情况下，告知显得尤为重要。
In cases of information asymmetry, notification becomes particularly important.
Academic/Economic context.
合同条款中明确了双方的告知责任。
The contract terms clarify the notification responsibilities of both parties.
Legal precision.
他因未履行告知义务而面临诉讼。
He is facing a lawsuit for failing to fulfill the duty to inform.
Causal relationship in legal context.
告知程序必须符合法律规定。
The notification procedure must comply with legal requirements.
Procedural terminology.
我们需要对受众进行风险告知。
We need to perform risk notification to the audience.
Risk management terminology.
告知函已通过挂号信寄出。
The notification letter has been sent via registered mail.
Formal administrative logistics.
此项告知旨在维护消费者的知情权。
This notification is intended to protect the consumer's right to know.
旨在 (aims to) + maintenance of rights.
在行政法中，告知是程序正义的体现。
In administrative law, notification is an embodiment of procedural justice.
Philosophical/Legal abstraction.
若无事先告知，该协议应视为无效。
Without prior notification, the agreement shall be deemed invalid.
Conditional legal consequence.
告知内容的准确性直接影响决策的科学性。
The accuracy of the informed content directly affects the scientific nature of decision-making.
Complex abstract subjects.
通过建立健全告知制度，可以有效减少纠纷。
By establishing a sound notification system, disputes can be effectively reduced.
Policy-making language.
告知不仅是形式，更是实质性的法律要求。
Notification is not just a formality, but a substantive legal requirement.
Rhetorical contrast.
对于此类敏感信息，告知方式需审慎选择。
For such sensitive information, the method of notification must be chosen prudently.
Nuanced adverbial usage (审慎).
告知义务的履行程度是法院裁决的关键考量。
The degree of fulfillment of the duty to inform is a key consideration in court rulings.
Judicial analysis register.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Used for groups or general notices.
Used for reporting upwards to a boss.
Used for casual daily talk.
Used for making a public claim.
Used for passing on a message from a higher level.
Sentence Patterns
Word Family
Related
How to Use It
告知 is written/formal; 告诉 is spoken/casual.
通知 is for general announcements; 告知 is for specific information delivery.
- Using 告知 in a casual setting like a date.
- Forgetting the object (who is being informed).
- Confusing 告知 with 广告 (advertising).
- Using it for reporting to a boss (should be 报告).
- Mispronouncing 'zhī' as 'zhǐ'.
Tips
Elevate your writing
Replace 告诉 with 告知 in all professional correspondence to sound more competent.
Duty to Inform
Remember 告知义务 is a key term in Chinese law and consumer rights.
Avoid coldness
Don't use 告知 with friends; it creates an emotional distance.
HSK/BCT Tip
告知 is a high-frequency word in Business Chinese Tests (BCT).
Common pairing
Always look for '及时' (timely) appearing before '告知'.
Passive usage
Master '被告知' to describe receiving official news.
Word Family
Connect it to '报告' and '通知' to build a formal communication cluster.
Context clues
If you see '告知' in a document, expect serious or legal information to follow.
Pronunciation
Ensure the 'zhī' is a flat first tone to sound native.
Respect
Using 告知 shows you respect the recipient's professional standing.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
To 'Gào' (announce) so they 'Zhī' (know).
Word Origin
From Old Chinese. '告' (mouth + bull horn) originally meant to report to the gods or ancestors. '知' (arrow + mouth) meant to speak as fast as an arrow, implying knowledge.
Cultural Context
The rise of '告知' in law reflects China's move towards a more rule-based society.
Informed consent (知情告知) is a relatively new but strictly enforced concept in urban Chinese hospitals.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"您能告知我具体的流程吗？"
"请问什么时候会告知结果？"
"我需要向谁告知这个情况？"
"关于这项政策，您被告知了吗？"
"我们应该如何告知客户这个变动？"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你被正式告知重要消息的经历。
为什么在工作中‘告知’比‘告诉’更合适？
如果你是医生，你会如何向病人履行告知义务？
讨论信息告知在现代社会的重要性。
写一封正式的告知函。
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it sounds too formal and cold. Use 告诉 instead.
It is primarily a verb, but it can be part of a compound noun like 告知书.
It is the 'Duty to Inform,' a legal requirement to disclose information.
You can say '请告知' or '请知悉'.
Yes, very frequently for official reports.
Yes, it is often used for formal notifications of delays or risks.
通报 usually involves a wider circulation of a report or criticism.
告知我 is the standard modern usage.
Only if it is a formal business text.
It means 'Informed Consent' in medical or research contexts.
Test Yourself 180 questions
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Summary
Use '告知' when the act of telling involves a formal responsibility, a professional setting, or a legal requirement to ensure the recipient is officially aware of specific facts.
- 告知 is the formal counterpart to the common verb 告诉.
- It is primarily used in business, legal, and medical contexts.
- It often appears in the phrase '告知义务' (duty to inform).
- It is a transitive verb requiring both a recipient and information.
Elevate your writing
Replace 告诉 with 告知 in all professional correspondence to sound more competent.
Duty to Inform
Remember 告知义务 is a key term in Chinese law and consumer rights.
Avoid coldness
Don't use 告知 with friends; it creates an emotional distance.
HSK/BCT Tip
告知 is a high-frequency word in Business Chinese Tests (BCT).
Example
请务必将您的决定及时告知我们。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More communication words
承认
A2to admit; to acknowledge
恐怕
B1I'm afraid that...; perhaps; probably. Used to express concern, uncertainty, or to soften a polite refusal.
同意
A1to agree
虽然...但是...
A2although...but...
公告
B1announcement
回答
A1to answer; to reply
接听
B2To answer (a phone call).
致歉
B2To express an apology formally. This is a critical term for IELTS letters of apology.
提问
A1To ask a question; to pose an inquiry.
广播
A2Broadcast.
