告诉我
gàosu wǒ
The Chinese phrase for 'tell me' is 告诉我 (gàosu wǒ).
告诉我 is the standard way to request that someone provide information or explain something to you. You can also use the variation 能告诉我吗? to ask 'Can you tell me?'
Which one should you use?
While 告诉我 is the standard phrase, you may encounter 跟我说 in informal settings, which means 'speak with me' or 'say it to me.'
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, the indirect object (me/我) is placed directly after the verb (tell/告诉) without requiring a preposition like 'to'.
How do you pronounce it?
gàosu wǒ
Did you know?
- If you want to ask someone to 'tell me' something very private or a secret, you might use the phrase 跟我透个底 (gēn wǒ tòu gè dǐ), which literally means 'let the bottom through to me'.
- In Mandarin, the phrase is often used in the structure 告诉我一声 (gàosu wǒ yì shēng), which literally translates to 'tell me one sound', used to mean 'give me a heads up'.
- When asking someone to 'tell' you a story or a joke, you are more likely to use the verb 说 (shuō) rather than 告诉, as 告诉 implies a transfer of specific, factual data.
Examples in context
- 不要告诉我。Don't tell me.This sentence is useful for expressing a request to not be told something.Tatoeba #9968947 by GlossaMatik, translation #239720 by CK
- 您想告诉我什么？What did you want to tell me?This sentence is useful for asking what someone wants to tell you.Tatoeba #10182795 by slo_oth, translation #2013675 by CK
- 告诉我你多大了。Tell me how old you are.This sentence is useful for requesting specific information about someone's age.Tatoeba #11708347 by Jokubas, translation #6403827 by CK
- 请告诉我最新的进展Please tell me the latest progress
- 告诉我吧，你们的旅行怎么样?Tell me, how was your trip?
- 78 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang asks Xiaowen about her favorite food at a restaurant.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，请告诉我你最喜欢吃什么。Xiǎowén, qǐng gàosù wǒ nǐ zuì xǐhuān chī shénme.Xiaowen, please tell me what you like to eat most.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我最喜欢吃饺子。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī jiǎozi.I like eating dumplings the most.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们去吃饺子吧。Nà wǒmen qù chī jiǎozi ba.Then let's go eat dumplings.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好啊，志强。Hǎo a, Zhìqiáng.Okay, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
