Dictionary
English - Chinese
Tell
tɛl
Extremely common
100 - 200
100 - 200
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
告诉, 讲述, 指示, 辨别, 显示
Tell meanings in Chinese
告诉
Example:
Please tell me your name.
请告诉我你的名字。
He told me a secret.
他告诉了我一个秘密。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used in both casual and formal conversations to convey information or share knowledge.
Note: This is the most common meaning of 'tell', used when one person communicates information to another.
讲述
Example:
She told a story about her travels.
她讲述了一个关于她旅行的故事。
Can you tell me what happened?
你能告诉我发生了什么吗？
Usage: informalContext: Often used in storytelling or recounting events.
Note: This meaning emphasizes the act of narrating or recounting events rather than simply providing information.
指示
Example:
Please tell him to wait.
请告诉他等一下。
I told her to be careful.
我告诉她要小心。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Commonly used when giving instructions or commands.
Note: In this context, 'tell' means to give orders or directions to someone.
辨别
Example:
Can you tell the difference between these two colors?
你能分辨这两种颜色的区别吗？
It's hard to tell if he's joking.
很难分辨他是在开玩笑。
Usage: informalContext: Used when discussing the ability to recognize or distinguish something.
Note: This meaning often appears in contexts where perception or judgment is involved.
显示
Example:
Her smile tells me she is happy.
她的微笑告诉我她很快乐。
The data tells a different story.
这些数据显示了一个不同的故事。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used when something indicates or reveals information.
Note: In this context, 'tell' refers to the idea of conveying information through signs or evidence rather than verbal communication.
Tell's synonyms
Say
To communicate verbally or in writing.
Example: She said she would be late.
Note: Similar in meaning to 'tell' but often used in more direct speech.
Inform
To give information or facts to someone.
Example: Please inform me if there are any changes.
Note: More formal and often used in professional or official contexts.
Notify
To formally or officially tell someone about something.
Example: The school will notify parents of any closures.
Note: Implies a formal or official communication.
Reveal
To make known or disclose something previously unknown.
Example: The detective revealed the true identity of the suspect.
Note: Often used when disclosing something significant or previously hidden.
Share
To tell someone about something that is important to you.
Example: She shared her concerns with her best friend.
Note: Emphasizes the act of disclosing personal thoughts or feelings.
Tell expressions, common phrases
Tell me about it
This phrase is used to express agreement or empathy with someone who has shared a frustrating or difficult experience.
Example: A: This project is so overwhelming. B: Tell me about it!
Note: The phrase 'tell me about it' goes beyond just conveying information but rather seeks to connect emotionally with the speaker's experience.
Tell someone off
To tell someone off means to scold or reprimand them, usually for something they have done wrong.
Example: She told him off for arriving late to the meeting.
Note: While 'tell' simply means to communicate information, 'tell off' specifically implies a scolding or reprimand.
Tell a white lie
To tell a white lie means to tell a harmless or small lie that is meant to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Example: She told a white lie about enjoying the dinner when in reality she didn't like it.
Note: Unlike the straightforward act of 'telling', 'telling a white lie' involves intentionally not telling the truth for a specific purpose.
Tell it like it is
This phrase means to speak frankly or truthfully, even if it may be blunt or uncomfortable.
Example: I appreciate her honesty. She always tells it like it is.
Note: While 'tell' is a general term for conveying information, 'tell it like it is' emphasizes being direct and honest without sugarcoating.
Tell tales
To tell tales means to gossip or spread rumors about someone, often in a negative way.
Example: Stop telling tales about your classmates. It's not nice.
Note: The phrase 'tell tales' involves sharing information, often untruthful or exaggerated, about others, while 'tell' typically refers to conveying facts or details.
Tell it to the marines
This phrase is used to express disbelief or skepticism towards a statement or excuse.
Example: If you think I believe your excuse, you can tell it to the marines.
Note: 'Tell it to the marines' is a figurative expression that questions the credibility of what is being said, whereas 'tell' on its own is neutral in tone.
Tell on someone
To tell on someone means to reveal or report their misdeed or wrongdoing to an authority figure.
Example: Tommy told on his sister for breaking the vase.
Note: 'Tell on someone' involves sharing information that could get someone in trouble, whereas 'tell' alone does not imply negative consequences for the listener.
Tell everyday (slang) expressions
Tell it like it T-I-S
This slang term is a humorous way of saying 'tell it like it is,' emphasizing the straightforward and honest nature of someone's communication.
Example: He always tells it like it T-I-S which is why people trust him.
Note: The difference lies in the playful and exaggerated pronunciation, adding a light-hearted tone to the original phrase.
Tell-all
A tell-all is a piece of writing or speech that reveals private or intimate information about a particular person or situation.
Example: The new book is a tell-all about the celebrity's life, revealing many secrets.
Note: The term 'tell-all' carries a connotation of exposing sensitive or scandalous details, differentiating it from a general act of telling.
No telling
This phrase is used to convey uncertainty or unpredictability about a future event or outcome.
Example: There's no telling what will happen at the party tonight.
Note: Unlike a direct statement of prediction or expectation, 'no telling' emphasizes the open-ended and ambiguous nature of the situation.
Tell off
To 'tell someone off' means to reprimand or scold them strongly for their actions or behavior.
Example: He really told off the rude customer who was causing trouble in the store.
Note: While similar to 'tell someone off,' this slang term directly implies a forceful or harsh manner of confrontation.
Teller
A 'teller' is someone who tells stories or shares information in an engaging or compelling way.
Example: She's always been a good storyteller, captivating everyone with her narratives.
Note: This term highlights the skill or talent of narration or communication, as opposed to simply conveying information.
Can't tell up from down
This expression conveys a feeling of confusion or disorientation, unable to distinguish one direction or option from another.
Example: With all the new information coming in, I can't tell up from down anymore.
Note: Rather than a literal inability to perceive physical directions, it symbolizes a mental state of being overwhelmed or lost.
Little bird told me
This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker obtained information from an undisclosed or secret source.
Example: I heard about your promotion; a little bird told me the good news.
Note: Instead of directly stating the source of information, 'a little bird told me' adds a playful and mysterious tone to the disclosure.
Tell - Examples
Can you tell me the time, please?
请问你能告诉我现在几点吗？
She told him a secret.
她告诉了他一个秘密。
I can't tell the difference between these two shirts.
我分不清这两件衬衫的区别。
He always tells funny jokes at parties.
他在聚会上总是讲有趣的笑话。
Tell grammar
Tell - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: tell
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): told
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): told
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): telling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): tells
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): tell
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): tell
Syllables, Separation and Stress
Tell Contains 1 syllables: tell
Phonetic transcription: ˈtel
tell , ˈtel (The red syllable is stressed)
Tell - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
Tell: 100 - 200 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
...