Translation guide
The English word "telling" can function as a verb (present participle of "tell"), an adjective, or a noun. This guide focuses on the most common uses for learners: the act of narrating or informing, the adjective meaning "revealing" or "significant," and related expressions.
Expressing the action of telling a story, recounting an event, or narrating something.
General verb for speaking or telling. Often used for telling stories or recounting events.
He told an interesting story.
More literary or formal verb for telling a story or recounting in detail. Often used in narratives.
My grandmother told an old tale.
Literally "to do a story," meaning to tell a story. Less common than 話す.
I told the children a story.
Expressing the act of telling someone information, news, or facts.
To convey or inform. Commonly used for telling someone something, especially news or messages.
Please tell him the results.
To let someone know, to inform. Often used for notifying someone of something.
General verb for saying. Can be used for telling in casual contexts, but 伝える is more precise for conveying information.
Describing something that reveals important information or is very significant.
Verb meaning "to tell a story" but often used in the sense of "to indicate" or "to reveal." Commonly used in the phrase 〜を物語っている (is telling of...).
His silence was telling.
Literally "is showing/indicating." Can be used to mean "is telling" in the sense of revealing something.
This data is telling of an important trend.
Adjective meaning "meaningful" or "suggestive." Can be used for "telling" in the sense of a significant look or remark.
Expressing the ability to tell things apart or recognize a difference.
To distinguish, to tell apart. Commonly used for visual distinction.
It's hard to tell the twins apart.
To differentiate, to distinguish. More formal and can be used for abstract distinctions.
the ability to tell right from wrong
To judge or discern. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
a way to tell real from fake
Expressing that something has a significant impact or is taking its toll.
The verb 教える (おしえる) means 'to teach' or 'to inform' in a didactic sense. It is not a general equivalent for 'tell.' Use 伝える or 言う instead for conveying information.
I told him the news.
話す (はなす) is the general verb for speaking or telling a story. 語る (かたる) is more literary and implies a detailed or emotional recounting. 言う (いう) simply means 'to say' and is less specific for 'telling' a narrative.
変更があれば知らせてください。
Please tell me if there are any changes.
I told him the truth.
She gave a telling glance.
暑さが身にこたえる。
The heat is telling on me.