Level 2 · Unit 3 Verbs & Actions

How to Write 告 (gào)

Meaning: "Tell / Inform"
Step-by-Step Stroke Order Diagram
Loading stroke data...
🖨️ Print Practice Sheet for This Word

Detailed Mastery Guide for 告

The character 告 (Traditional: 告) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Tell / Inform". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 7-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.

Writing & Recognition

Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Verbs & Actions, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.

Key Vocabulary

告訴 gàosù gou3 sou3
to tell
報告 bàogào bou3 gou3
report

Radical Breakdown

Breaking it down: The character 告 is built on the radical Cow (牜) 93. Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.

Etymology & Origins

An ideogram showing a cow's head (牛) above a mouth (口), suggesting a ritual sacrifice where the intent is announced to the ancestors.

Example Sentence

Simplified: 请告诉我这件事。

Qǐng gàosù wǒ zhè jiàn shì.

Traditional: 請告訴我這件事。

Cing2 gou3 sou3 ngo5 ze1 gin6 si6.

"Please tell me about this matter."

Dialect Pronunciation

In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as gào. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is gou3. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.

Practice & Retention

To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.

Quick Self-Check

What is the meaning of '告'?

A) To tell
B) To eat
C) To run
D) To sleep

Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 3

Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!

We built this site to ensure everyone has access to free stroke order visualizers without annoying paywalls or trial limits. If you find it helpful, supporting us on Ko-fi helps keep the site running!

☕ Support Us on Ko-fi