Definition
告 (gào) is a formal verb with two main senses: 'to sue' and 'to inform/report'. For the legal sense, 起诉 (qǐsù) is the standard legal term, while 告状 (gào zhuàng) is colloquial. For the inform sense, 告诉 (gàosu) is the everyday word, and 报告 (bàogào) is used for formal written/official reports.
verb
to sueto file a lawsuit againstto informto tellto report (often formally)
Easily confused
- 害hàilook-alike(verb) to harm, to cause trouble to
- 搞gǎosound-aliketo do, to handle (a broad action verb used in many contexts)
- 占zhànlook-aliketo occupy, to take up (space, time, or a position)
- 高gāosound-alike(adjective) tall; high
- 右yòulook-alikeright side; right (direction)
- 同tónglook-alike(adjective) same, similar
Examples
- 告。Gōngsī gào tā qiàn qián.The company sued him for owing money.
- 。tā gàosu wǒ yí gè hǎo xiāoxi.He told me a piece of good news.
- 。tā xiàng shàngjí gàofā le gōngsī de mìmì.He reported the company's secret to his superior.
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