告
gào
(bound form) to say; to tell
to announce; to report; to denounce; to file a lawsuit; to sue
cow (牛) + mouth (口) = formally announce or report
In ancient times, bringing a cow (牛) before an official and speaking (口) was how one formally lodged a complaint or made a declaration. The act of presenting something significant and giving testimony became the core of announcing or reporting.
她告诉我今天不用上班。
tā gào su wǒ jīn tiān bù yòng shàng bān。
She told me there is no need to go to work today.
他决定去法院告那家公司。
tā jué dìng qù fǎ yuàn gào nà jiā gōng sī。
He decided to go to court and sue that company.
Words with 告
告吹
gào chuī
to fizzle out
转告
zhuǎn gào
to pass on
密告
mì gào
to report secretly
告竣
gào jùn
(of a project) to be completed
告终
gào zhōng
to end
告罄
gào qìng
to run out
告示牌
gào shì pái
notice
告解
gào jiě
(Catholicism) to confess; confession
通告
tōng gào
to announce; to give notice
遗体告别式
yí tǐ gào bié shì
funeral
电告
diàn gào
to inform by telegraph, telephone etc
预告片
yù gào piàn
trailer (for a movie)