1. to give information to someone by speaking or writing
告訴，告知
Can you tell me the time?
你能告訴我現在幾點嗎？
She told him the news yesterday.
她昨天把這個消息告訴了他。
Tell Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
tell
verb
快速理解
What does "Tell" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Tell"?
「tell」主要表示用言語或方式傳達資訊、指示，或辨別事物。
- 1
告知資訊
EN: to give information to someone by speaking or writing
翻譯: 透過說話或書寫向某人提供資訊。
- 2
命令或指示
EN: to order or advise someone to do something
翻譯: 命令或建議某人做某事。
- 3
辨別或判斷
EN: to be able to see how two people or things are different
翻譯: 能夠分辨兩個人或事物之間的差異。
- 4
產生影響
EN: to have a noticeable effect on someone or something
翻譯: 對某人或某事產生明顯的影響。
小提醒：注意「tell」與「say」的區別：「tell」通常需要提及聽話的對象（tell someone something），而「say」則著重於說話的內容本身（say something）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Tell" in English）
How to pronounce "Tell" in English?"Tell" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Tell" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“these two things are actually related and I want to tell you how tonight. Now, nobody wants an operation.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Tell"?How does "Tell" change by context?
2. to say or give an order, instruction, or advice
吩咐，指示，建議
The teacher told the students to be quiet.
老師吩咐學生們保持安靜。
I told you not to touch that!
我告訴過你不要碰那個！
3. to know, recognize, or be certain about something
辨別，分辨，確定
I can't tell the difference between the twins.
我無法分辨這對雙胞胎。
It's hard to tell if he's joking.
很難確定他是不是在開玩笑。
4. to have an effect or be noticeable
產生影響，顯現出來
The stress is starting to tell on his health.
壓力開始對他的健康產生影響。
Her experience tells in the quality of her work.
她的經驗在她的工作品質上顯現出來。
5. to narrate a story or relate events
講述，敘述
Grandpa loves to tell stories about his childhood.
爺爺很喜歡講述他童年的故事。
The book tells of their adventures in the jungle.
這本書敘述了他們在叢林裡的冒險。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Tell"?How to make natural sentences with "Tell"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| tell + someone | 告訴某人 | She told me a secret. (她告訴我一個秘密。) |
| tell + someone + something | 告訴某人某事 | Can you tell me the time? (你能告訴我時間嗎？) |
| tell + someone + about + something | 告訴某人關於某事 | He told us about his trip. (他告訴了我們關於他的旅行。) |
| tell + someone + to + V | 告訴某人去做某事 | The teacher told the students to be quiet. (老師告訴學生們要安靜。) |
| tell + someone + (that) + clause | 告訴某人（某事） | She told him that she was leaving. (她告訴他她要離開了。) |
| tell + a story / a joke / a lie | 講故事／講笑話／說謊 | Grandpa loves to tell stories. (爺爺很喜歡講故事。) |
| tell + the difference / the truth | 分辨差異／說實話 | Can you tell the difference? (你能分辨出差異嗎？) |
| tell + time | 報時；看時間 | My son is learning to tell time. (我兒子正在學習看時間。) |
| tell + on + someone | 告發某人 | Don't tell on me! (別告發我！) |
| tell + apart | 區分開 | The twins are hard to tell apart. (這對雙胞胎很難區分。) |
用法說明
How is "Tell" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Tell"?
tell doing vs tell to do
- tell + 人 + to do 是標準用法，表示「告訴某人去做某事」，是一個明確的指令或要求。
- tell + doing 在標準英語中並非正確的動詞模式。
- 當你想表達「告訴某人關於做某事的經驗或事實」時，應使用 tell + 人 + about + doing 或 tell + 人 + (that) 子句。
- 在間接引語中，報告一個指令或要求時，必須使用 tell + 人 + to do 的結構。 EN: She told her son to clean his room. 翻譯: 她告訴兒子去整理他的房間。
EN:She told her son about cleaning his room yesterday.
翻譯:她告訴兒子關於昨天整理房間的事。
總結建議
表達「告訴某人去做某事」時，請固定使用「tell + 人 + to + 動詞原形」的結構。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Tell" and similar words?How to choose "Tell" vs alternatives?
tell vs say
「tell」通常需要一個聽話的對象（某人），而「say」則著重於說話的內容本身。
tell vs speak
「tell」意指告知資訊或故事，而「speak」則泛指說話的能力、使用某種語言或進行演講。
tell vs inform
「tell」是較通用、口語化的告知，而「inform」則較正式，常用於官方或書面通知。
口語用法
How is "Tell" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Tell"?
引述
在對話中，常用來轉述他人的話或想法，語氣較為隨意。 EN: So I told him, "That's not going to work." 翻譯: 所以我就跟他說：「那樣行不通啦。」
EN:She was like, "Tell me everything!"
翻譯:她當時就說：「快把所有事都告訴我！」
語氣強調
與其他詞結合，用來加強語氣或表達強烈意圖。 EN: I'm telling you, this is the best cake ever. 翻譯: 我跟你說，這絕對是史上最好吃的蛋糕。
EN:Let me tell you something – don't trust him.
翻譯:我告訴你一件事——千萬別相信他。
停頓填充
在組織思緒或短暫停頓時，作為口語填充詞使用。 EN: Well, tell you what, let's meet at 5 instead. 翻譯: 嗯，這樣吧，我們改五點見好了。
EN:I, uh, tell you the truth, I haven't started yet.
翻譯:我，呃，老實說，我還沒開始做。
正式寫作注意：以上口語用法（如直接引述、語氣強調結構、停頓填充）在正式書寫或學術文章中應避免使用，請改用更標準、完整的句型。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Tell"?What fixed phrases with "Tell" should I remember?
tell someone something
tell [person] [information]
告訴某人某事
tell a story
tell a story
講述一個故事
tell the truth
tell the truth
說實話
tell a lie
tell a lie
說謊
tell the difference
tell the difference (between A and B)
分辨出差異
tell apart
tell [things] apart
區分開來
tell someone off
tell [person] off
責罵某人
tell fortunes
tell fortunes
算命
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Tell"?Which "Tell" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He told "I'm busy."
✓He said, "I'm busy."
「tell」後面必須接一個聽話的對象（如 tell someone），而「say」後面可以直接接說話的內容或引述句。
×She told to me about her trip.
✓She told me about her trip.
「tell」是及物動詞，後面直接接受詞（某人），不需要介系詞「to」。正確結構是「tell someone something」或「tell someone about something」。
×Can you tell?
✓Can you tell me? / Can you say that?
「tell」通常需要一個直接或間接受詞（告訴誰、告訴什麼）。如果沒有明確的內容或對象，應使用「say」或補全「tell」的受詞。
×She told me if I was hungry.
✓She asked me if I was hungry.
「tell」用於「告知」資訊，而「ask」用於「詢問」。當句子表達的是疑問或請求時，應使用「ask」。
×My mother told me I should go.
✓My mother told me to go.
在表示「命令」或「指示」時，「tell someone to do something」使用不定詞（to + 動詞）是更常見且簡潔的結構，而非使用從句「that...should」。
×Can you tell the time on your watch?
✓Can you tell the time by your watch?
表達「依據某物判斷/說出」時，常用介系詞「by」。雖然「tell the time」是固定片語，但指定判斷的依據時，應用「by」。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Tell"?What are tense/participle forms of "Tell"?
tells(3rd_singular)telling(present_participle)told(past)told(past_participle)