告诫

• Pinyin: gào jiè
• Hanzi breakdown: 告 = 牛 + 口 (announce, inform); 诫 = 讠+ 戒 (speech radical + precaution — to warn, admonish)

Meaning

To admonish; to warn and counsel; to give a serious cautionary instruction, especially from someone in authority or with experience.

Implies a relationship of authority or care — a senior warning a junior, a parent cautioning a child, a mentor advising a student. More earnest and urgent than 建议, and more concerned with moral or safety implications. Often appears in formal and literary contexts.

Examples

1. 导师在学生毕业临行前语重心长地告诫他们，踏入社会后要坚守职业道德，不可投机取巧。 Before the students left after graduation, the advisor earnestly warned them to uphold professional ethics after entering society and not to take shortcuts.
2. 医生反复告诫患者，术后必须严格遵守饮食禁忌，一旦违反可能引发严重的并发症。 The doctor repeatedly warned the patient that they must strictly follow postoperative dietary restrictions; violating them could lead to serious complications.
3. 法官在宣判后郑重告诫被告，缓刑期间须遵纪守法，若再犯则将面临更严厉的惩处。 After the verdict, the judge solemnly warned the defendant that during probation they must obey the law, and if they reoffend they will face harsher punishment.

Usage Guide

Context: education, parenting, legal, mentorship

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他的父亲临终前握着他的手，语气深沉地告诫他，无论身处何种境地，都要诚实做人。(On his deathbed, his father held his hand and solemnly admonished him that no matter what circumstances he found himself in, he must live with honesty.)
• 监管机构再次告诫金融机构，必须切实履行反洗钱义务，否则将面临严厉的行政处罚。(The regulatory authority once again warned financial institutions that they must genuinely fulfil their anti-money-laundering obligations or face severe administrative penalties.)

Don't Say

• 我告诫你这道菜很辣 — 告诫 is reserved for moral, safety, or legal warnings; use 提醒 or 告诉 for neutral everyday tips

Origin & History

告 (to tell/inform) + 诫 (to warn/admonish)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal