Translation guide
The English verb "tell" has many distinct uses. This guide organizes them by meaning, from most common to niche, with natural Japanese equivalents.
To give information to someone, often with a direct or indirect object.
General verb for conveying information. Can be used in many contexts.
I told him the news.
To let someone know, to inform. Often used for practical information.
Please tell me if there are any changes.
To say, to tell. Very common, but can be ambiguous without context. Often used with ～と.
He told me "thank you."
To tell, to teach, to inform. Implies the listener didn't know the information.
Could you tell me the way?
To tell a story, joke, or anecdote.
To talk, to tell (a story). The most common verb for narrating.
He told an interesting story.
To tell, to narrate, to recount. More literary or formal than 話す.
To tell a tale (literally "let someone hear a story"). Used for storytelling, especially to children.
To tell someone to do something, to give an order.
To tell someone to do something. The pattern is [verb dictionary form / negative form] + ように言う.
I told him to come quickly.
Please tell the children not to touch it.
To order, to command. Stronger and more formal than 言う.
To instruct, to direct. Often used in work or official contexts.
I was told to follow the manual.
To tell the difference, to distinguish between things.
To be able to tell the difference. Often used in the potential form.
I can't tell these twins apart.
To distinguish by looking, to tell apart visually.
To judge, to discriminate. More formal, often used in technical contexts.
This device can tell colors apart.
To tell a secret, to reveal confidential information.
To leak, to let out (a secret). Often used with 秘密を.
He told the secret (by accident).
To reveal, to disclose (a secret). Casual.
To expose, to disclose. Often used for scandals or hidden truths.
He told about the corruption.
To tell something through signs, expressions, or evidence.
To have a noticeable effect, often negative (e.g., "the stress began to tell on him").
While 言う is a common translation, it often sounds unnatural or ambiguous. Use more specific verbs like 伝える, 話す, or 教える depending on the context.
I told him my phone number.
伝える is general for conveying any information. 知らせる implies the listener didn't know and needs to be informed, often for practical matters.
This is the most natural way to express "tell someone to do something." The verb before ように should be in the dictionary form or negative form.
I told them to be quiet.
I told him to wait.
She told about her experience.
My grandmother often told me stories.
上司は彼に残業を命じた。
The boss told him to work overtime.
本物と偽物を見分けるのは難しい。
It's hard to tell the real thing from the fake.
Who told the secret?
These scars tell of the severity of the accident.
徹夜が体にこたえた。
The all-nighter told on my body.