告诫
Traditional: 告誡
gào jiè HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

老师告诫学生要诚实守信。
Lǎoshī gàojiè xuéshēng yào chéngshí shǒuxìn.
The teacher admonished the students to be honest and trustworthy.
父母常常告诫孩子注意安全。
Fùmǔ chángcháng gàojiè háizi zhùyì ānquán.
Parents often warn their children to pay attention to safety.
医生告诫病人要按时服药。
Yīshēng gàojiè bìngrén yào ànshí fúyào.
The doctor warned the patient to take medicine on time.
妈妈告诫我。
Māmā gàojiè wǒ.
Mom warns me.
老师告诫学生。
Lǎoshī gàojiè xuésheng.
The teacher warns the students.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters down: 告 (gào) means 'to tell' or 'to inform,' and 诫 (jiè) means 'to warn' or 'to admonish.' Think of it as 'telling a warning.' You can remember it as a formal 'tell-warning' given by someone like a parent or teacher.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is relatively formal and is commonly used in both written and spoken language, though more frequent in serious or instructive contexts. It is often used when an elder, superior, or experienced person is advising someone younger or less experienced. Common contexts include parental guidance, teacher-student interactions, and official warnings.

📖 Grammar Points

Commonly used in the pattern: [Subject] 告诫 [Someone] + [Statement/Advice]. For example: 老师告诫我们要诚实。 (The teacher admonished us to be honest.) It can also be used with a direct object and a clause introduced by '说' or a similar verb, or in a passive sense like '受到告诫'.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, respecting elders and heeding their advice is highly valued. 告诫 often reflects this hierarchical and instructive relationship, where wisdom and experience are passed down. It implies the speaker has a legitimate reason (like age, status, or concern) to offer a stern warning, and not heeding such advice might be seen as disrespectful or unwise.

🔄 Similar Words

警告 (jǐnggào) is a more general and stronger 'warning,' often about immediate danger or consequences, and can be used in legal or safety contexts. 劝告 (quàngào) means 'to advise' or 'to counsel' and is gentler, focusing on persuasion rather than a stern admonition. 告诫 sits between them, emphasizing earnest, instructive admonishment.

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