Tell me about it
Meaning: I know exactly what you mean; I completely agree because I've experienced the same thing.
Despite sounding like a request for more information, this is actually an expression of strong agreement. It means 'you don't have to tell me — I already know how bad/annoying/true that is.' Used to commiserate.
Examples
- Traffic was insane today. — Tell me about it, I sat in it for two hours. 今天堵车堵得要命。——可不是嘛,我堵了两个小时。Hoy el tráfico era una locura. — Y que lo digas, estuve dos horas metido en el atasco.今日の渋滞ひどかったね。——ほんとだよ、2時間もはまってた。오늘 교통 체증 장난 아니었어. — 진짜 말도 마, 나도 2시간이나 갇혀 있었어.
- This heat is unbearable. — Tell me about it! 这天热得受不了。——可不是嘛!Este calor es insoportable. — ¡Y que lo digas!この暑さ耐えられない。——まったくだよ!이 더위 못 참겠어. — 진짜 말도 마!
- The prices at that restaurant are ridiculous. — Tell me about it. 那家餐厅的价格太离谱了。——可不是嘛。Los precios de ese restaurante son de locos. — Y que lo digas.あのレストランの値段おかしいよね。——ほんとそれ。그 식당 가격 말도 안 돼. — 완전 공감.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: agreement, commiseration, everyday conversation
Tone: empathetic, exasperated
✓ Do Say
- Tell me about it!Tell me about it!¡Y que lo digas!ほんとそれ!완전 공감!
- Oh, tell me about it.Oh, tell me about it.Ay, y que lo digas.ああ、まったくだよ。아, 정말 그러니까.
✗ Don't Say
- Can confuse non-native speakers who take it literally as a request.非母语者可能会按字面意思理解为在请求对方讲述,容易造成混淆。Puede confundir a hablantes no nativos que lo interpreten literalmente como una petición.英語を母語としない人は字義通りに「教えて」と受け取って混乱することがある。비원어민이 문자 그대로 정보를 요청하는 것으로 오해할 수 있다.
Origin & History
Classic American conversational expression dating back to at least the mid-20th century. Became iconic through movies and TV sitcoms as a quick agreement phrase.
Cultural Context
Era: Classic — still current
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: All regions
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