告状

gàozhuàng: 告状 - To Tattle, To Complain, To Sue

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: gaozhuang, 告状, what does gaozhuang mean, tattle in Chinese, complain to a teacher in Chinese, report a coworker, inform on someone, snitch in Chinese, file a complaint in Chinese, bring a lawsuit in Chinese.
  • Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese verb 告状 (gàozhuàng), which means to report someone's wrongdoing to a higher authority. This term covers everything from a child tattling on a sibling to an employee complaining about a coworker to a superior, and can even mean filing a formal lawsuit. This page explores the deep cultural nuances of 告状, its use in schoolyards and the workplace, and how it differs from similar words like “complain” or “report.”

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): gàozhuàng
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: To report someone's misdeeds to a person in authority.
  • In a Nutshell: 告状 is the act of “telling on” someone. It inherently involves a power dynamic: you don't 告状 to an equal, you go up the chain of command to a parent, teacher, boss, or even a court. It often carries a slightly negative or childish connotation, implying that you are unable or unwilling to resolve the issue directly with the other person. Think of it as escalating a personal grievance to a higher power for judgment and resolution.

Character Breakdown

  • 告 (gào): To tell, to inform, to report. This character often relates to formal speech or announcements. Imagine a mouth (口) formally addressing an authority.
  • 状 (zhuàng): A state of affairs, a condition, or a written statement. In a legal context, it specifically refers to a formal written complaint or accusation.
  • The two characters combine to mean “to report the state of affairs,” which perfectly captures the essence of presenting a case or a complaint to someone who can do something about it.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes social harmony (和谐, héxié) and respecting hierarchy, direct confrontation can be seen as disruptive. 告状 can sometimes be a way to address a problem while avoiding a direct, face-to-face conflict. You let the authority figure handle the unpleasantness.
  • However, it's a double-edged sword. While it leverages the hierarchical structure, it can also be seen as sneaky, weak, or a betrayal of trust, especially among peers. The person who likes to 告状 is often viewed as a “tattletale” or a “snitch.”
  • Comparison to Western Culture: In English, “tattling” is a word almost exclusively used for and by children, and it's heavily discouraged. For adults, we use more specific, often neutral terms like “to report,” “to file a complaint,” or “to whistle-blow.” 告状 is unique because it covers this entire spectrum, from the playground to the courtroom, while consistently carrying a slightly immature or petty undertone unless the situation is extremely serious. It's less about abstract justice (like “whistle-blowing”) and more about resolving a personal grievance through an authority figure.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Among Children & in School: This is the most classic and common context. A child gets bullied or sees a classmate cheating and runs to the teacher or their parents to 告状. It's a fundamental part of childhood social dynamics.
  • In the Workplace: This is a much more delicate situation. To 告状 against a colleague to your manager is a serious move. It can be perceived as “backstabbing” (打小报告, dǎ xiǎo bàogào) and can damage team morale. It's usually a last resort.
  • In a Legal Context: This is the most formal usage. 告状 can mean to file a complaint or bring a lawsuit against someone. For example, 去法院告状 (qù fǎyuàn gàozhuàng) means “to go to court to sue.” In this context, the negative connotation is much weaker as it refers to a formal, legitimate process.
  • Connotation: The connotation is generally negative to neutral. It's rarely seen as a noble or brave act unless the offense being reported is severe and harmful to the collective. In everyday disputes, it implies an inability to handle one's own problems.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 弟弟又去跟妈妈告状，说我抢了他的玩具。
    • Pinyin: Dìdi yòu qù gēn māma gàozhuàng, shuō wǒ qiǎngle tā de wánjù.
    • English: My little brother went to tattle to Mom again, saying I stole his toy.
    • Analysis: This is the classic “tattling” scenario among children. The context is informal and a bit childish.
  • Example 2:
    • 你再欺负我，我就去告诉老师，向他告状！
    • Pinyin: Nǐ zài qīfu wǒ, wǒ jiù qù gàosu lǎoshī, xiàng tā gàozhuàng!
    • English: If you bully me again, I'm going to go tell the teacher and tattle on you!
    • Analysis: A common threat used by schoolchildren. The structure is 向 + (person in authority) + 告状.
  • Example 3:
    • 他因为同事上班总是迟到，所以向经理告状了。
    • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi tóngshì shàngbān zǒngshì chídào, suǒyǐ xiàng jīnglǐ gàozhuàng le.
    • English: He complained to the manager because his colleague is always late for work.
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the workplace usage. It's a sensitive action that could be seen as “snitching.”
  • Example 4:
    • 别为这点儿小事告状，你们自己解决。
    • Pinyin: Bié wèi zhè diǎnr xiǎo shì gàozhuàng, nǐmen zìjǐ jiějué.
    • English: Don't tattle over such a small matter, resolve it yourselves.
    • Analysis: This is typical advice from a parent or teacher, encouraging children to solve problems directly instead of relying on an authority figure.
  • Example 5:
    • 我不是想告状，我只是觉得您有必要知道这个情况。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ búshì xiǎng gàozhuàng, wǒ zhǐshì juéde nín yǒu bìyào zhīdào zhège qíngkuàng.
    • English: I don't mean to complain/tattle, I just think it's necessary for you to know the situation.
    • Analysis: A common way to soften the negative connotation of 告状 in a professional or formal setting. The speaker is preemptively defending their action.
  • Example 6:
    • 这家公司污染环境，附近的居民决定联合起来去告状。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī wūrǎn huánjìng, fùjìn de jūmín juédìng liánhé qǐlái qù gàozhuàng.
    • English: This company is polluting the environment, so the nearby residents decided to unite and file a formal complaint.
    • Analysis: Here, 告状 takes on a more serious and communal meaning, closer to lodging a formal grievance with the government or relevant agency.
  • Example 7:
    • 因为合同纠纷，他准备去法院告状。
    • Pinyin: Yīnwèi hétong jiūfēn, tā zhǔnbèi qù fǎyuàn gàozhuàng.
    • English: Due to a contract dispute, he is preparing to file a lawsuit in court.
    • Analysis: This shows the formal, legal application of the term. In this context, it's equivalent to “to sue.”
  • Example 8:
    • 在古代，平民受了冤屈，可以到衙门去击鼓告状。
    • Pinyin: Zài gǔdài, píngmín shòule yuānqū, kěyǐ dào yámén qù jī gǔ gàozhuàng.
    • English: In ancient times, if common people were wronged, they could go to the yamen (government office) and beat a drum to lodge a complaint.
    • Analysis: This provides historical context, showing the long-standing role of 告状 in Chinese society as a means for the powerless to seek justice from the powerful.
  • Example 9:
    • 你怎么能背着我向我父母告状呢？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng bèizhe wǒ xiàng wǒ fùmǔ gàozhuàng ne?
    • English: How could you go behind my back and complain to my parents about me?
    • Analysis: This highlights the sense of betrayal often associated with 告状, especially between friends or partners. “背着我” (bèizhe wǒ) means “behind my back.”
  • Example 10:
    • 他是出了名的“爱告状的人”，同事们都不太喜欢他。
    • Pinyin: Tā shì chūle míng de “ài gàozhuàng de rén”, tóngshìmen dōu bútài xǐhuān tā.
    • English: He is a well-known “tattletale,” so his colleagues don't really like him.
    • Analysis: This shows how the action can define a person's character. “爱告状的人” is the direct equivalent of a tattletale or snitch.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `告状 (gàozhuàng)` vs. `投诉 (tóusù)`: This is a key distinction. 告状 is personal; you report a person's wrongdoing to their superior. 投诉 is transactional; you complain to a company or organization about a bad product or service.
    • Correct: 我要向经理告状，说小王工作不认真。(I want to complain to the manager that Xiao Wang isn't serious about his work.)
    • Incorrect: 我要向这家餐厅告状，因为菜是凉的。
    • Correct: 我要投诉这家餐厅，因为菜是凉的。(I want to complain about this restaurant because the food is cold.)
  • `告状 (gàozhuàng)` vs. `举报 (jǔbào)`: 举报 is much more serious and formal. It means to report illegal or majorly unethical activities to the authorities (police, government). It has a positive connotation of civic duty. 告状 is typically about personal grievances or minor rule-breaking.
    • Correct: 他向警察举报了那个小偷。(He reported the thief to the police.)
    • Correct: 他向老师告状说同桌上课说话。(He tattled to the teacher that his deskmate was talking in class.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 投诉 (tóusù) - To complain (formally, about a service or product). Less personal and more official than 告状.
  • 举报 (jǔbào) - To report (a crime or serious violation to the authorities). More formal and serious, often with a sense of public duty.
  • 打小报告 (dǎ xiǎo bàogào) - Lit. “to give a small report.” A highly colloquial and negative synonym for 告状, emphasizing the sneaky, backstabbing nature of the act.
  • 抱怨 (bàoyuàn) - To complain or grumble. This is about venting dissatisfaction, often to peers or to oneself, not necessarily to an authority figure for action.
  • 控告 (kònggào) - To accuse or charge in a legal sense. This is a formal term used in the justice system.
  • 欺负 (qīfu) - To bully or to pick on someone. This is a very common reason for a child to 告状.
  • 委屈 (wěiqu) - The feeling of being wronged or suffering an injustice. This emotion is often the primary motivator for someone to 告状.
  • 上级 (shàngjí) - A superior or boss. This is the person you typically 告状 to in a workplace hierarchy.