====== 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.