汉语语法—“告诉”和“说”的差别

Chinese grammar--The difference between 告诉and 说

（一）“告诉”和“说”最大的区别是动作的方向性问题，“告诉”的动作具有方向性，即把某事说出来的目的在于传给对方；“说”不具有这种方向性，它只是用话表达思想、意思的方式。所以，“告诉”可以带双宾语，“说”不可以；“告诉”用在“把”字句里，后边可以只用一个表人宾语，“说”不可以。例如：

The principal difference between “告诉” and “说” is the direction of the acts. The purpose of speaking out is to transmit the word to the opposite side. “说” doesn’t imply this meaning, it is only a way by words to express ideas and opinions,. Therefore, “告诉” can be followed by double objects, and “说” can’t. “告诉” can also be used in the sentence with “把” and followed by one object of people, while “说”can’t. For example:

你去告诉小王来听电话吧。

*你去说小王来听电话。

我们把这件事的真相告诉他吧。

*我们把这件事的真相说他吧。

（二）“说”还有“解释”、“批评”等意思，“告诉”没有这种意思。例如：

“说” also means explaining and criticizing, but “告诉” doesn’t. For example:

老师，您能说一说这个词是什么意思吗？（“解释”义）

*老师，您能告诉这个词是什么意思吗？

张力好几天没来上课，老师正说他呢。（“批评”义）

*张力好几天没来上课，老师正告诉他呢。