gàomì: 告密 - To Snitch, To Inform On Someone, To Betray by Reporting Secretly

• Keywords: gaomi, 告密, snitch in Chinese, informant in Chinese, tattletale Chinese, report someone secretly, Chinese whistleblower vs snitch, betray a secret, inform on, sell out in Chinese, Chinese cultural values, office politics China.
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 告密 (gàomì), which means to secretly inform on someone to an authority, often with malicious intent or for personal gain. This term carries a deeply negative connotation of betrayal and disloyalty, making it culturally distinct from the more neutral “reporting” or potentially heroic “whistleblowing” in English. This page explores its meaning, cultural significance in China, and practical usage in contexts from office politics to everyday life.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gàomì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To secretly report someone's private actions or words to an authority figure.
• In a Nutshell: `告密` is not just “to report.” It's the act of a “snitch” or a “tattletale,” but with a much heavier weight. The core of the word is the combination of betrayal and secrecy. It implies breaking the trust of a friend, colleague, or family member by telling on them behind their back, usually to get them in trouble or to curry favor with a person in power (like a boss or a government official). In Chinese culture, it is considered a cowardly and morally contemptible act.

• 告 (gào): This character means “to tell,” “to report,” or “to announce.” It shows a mouth (口) under an ox (牛), which some scholars believe originally depicted making a formal announcement or report. Think of it as the action of “reporting.”
• 密 (mì): This character means “secret,” “confidential,” or “hidden.” The components suggest something that must be kept secure and hidden away. Think of it as the manner in which the report is made: “secretly.”

When combined, `告 (gào)` + `密 (mì)` literally translates to “to report secretly.” This perfectly captures the two essential elements of the word: the act of informing and the clandestine, treacherous nature of it.

In Chinese culture, loyalty (`忠诚`, zhōngchéng) and group solidarity (`义气`, yìqì) are highly prized virtues. `告密` is seen as a profound violation of these principles. It shatters trust within a group, be it a circle of friends, a family, or a team of coworkers. A key cultural comparison is with the Western concept of “whistleblowing.” While a whistleblower might be celebrated as a hero for exposing serious corruption for the public good, a person who engages in `告密` (a `告密者`, gàomìzhě) is almost universally viewed with disdain. The focus is not on the potential “good” of revealing wrongdoing, but on the personal betrayal and the sneaky method used. The act is seen as self-serving and destructive to relationships. This deeply negative perception was intensified by historical periods like the Cultural Revolution, where people were encouraged and sometimes forced to `告密` against their friends, neighbors, and even family members, leading to tragic consequences. This history has left a lasting cultural scar, cementing `告密` as one of the most dishonorable actions a person can take.

The term `告密` is used in various modern contexts, always with a strong negative judgment.

• In the Workplace: This is a very common scenario. It describes a colleague who “tattles” to the boss about another's mistake, a private complaint they made, or even for taking a slightly longer lunch break. This is a classic example of “office politics” (`办公室政治`, bàngōngshì zhèngzhì) and is seen as a despicable way to try and get ahead.
• In School: A student who secretly tells the teacher that another student cheated on a test or broke a rule would be accused of `告密`. They would be labeled a “tattletale” and likely ostracized by their peers. A more colloquial term for this is `打小报告` (dǎ xiǎo bàogào), “to give a small report.”
• In Personal Relationships: Accusing someone of `告密` implies a serious breach of trust. For example, if you tell a friend a secret and they then tell your parents, you could angrily say they engaged in `告密`.

• Example 1:
  • 他为了得到晋升，不惜向老板告密，出卖了自己的同事。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile dédào jìnshēng, bùxī xiàng lǎobǎn gàomì, chūmài le zìjǐ de tóngshì.
  • English: In order to get a promotion, he didn't hesitate to snitch to the boss and sell out his own colleague.
  • Analysis: This is a classic workplace scenario. The use of `告密` and `出卖` (chūmài - to sell out) highlights the severe moral condemnation of the act.
• Example 2:
  • 我最讨厌在背后告密的人。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì tǎoyàn zài bèihòu gàomì de rén.
  • English: I hate people who snitch behind others' backs the most.
  • Analysis: A direct and common expression of disgust for the act. `在背后` (zài bèihòu - behind the back) emphasizes the secretive and cowardly nature of `告密`.
• Example 3:
  • 你是不是去跟老师告密了？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì bu shì qù gēn lǎoshī gàomì le?
  • English: Did you go and tattle to the teacher?
  • Analysis: A direct, accusatory question, typical in a school setting among students. The tone is angry and confrontational.
• Example 4:
  • 在那个特殊的历史时期，告密之风盛行，邻里之间毫无信任可言。
  • Pinyin: Zài nàge tèshū de lìshǐ shíqī, gàomì zhī fēng shèngxíng, línlǐ zhījiān háo wú xìnrèn kě yán.
  • English: During that special historical period, the practice of informing on others was rampant, and there was no trust whatsoever between neighbors.
  • Analysis: This sentence places `告密` in a historical context, alluding to periods like the Cultural Revolution. `之风盛行` means “the trend of… was widespread.”
• Example 5:
  • 别担心，我不是那种会告密的小人。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, wǒ búshì nà zhǒng huì gàomì de xiǎorén.
  • English: Don't worry, I'm not that kind of petty person who would snitch.
  • Analysis: This is a way of reassuring someone of your loyalty. It links `告密` with being a `小人` (xiǎorén), a “small” or contemptible person.
• Example 6:
  • 他因为害怕而向敌人告密，最终导致了整个计划的失败。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi hàipà ér xiàng dírén gàomì, zuìzhōng dǎozhì le zhěnggè jìhuà de shībài.
  • English: He informed on them to the enemy out of fear, ultimately leading to the failure of the entire plan.
  • Analysis: This example shows a high-stakes situation, like in a spy movie or war story, where `告密` is an act of treason.
• Example 7:
  • 那个告密者得到了奖励，但失去了所有朋友的尊重。
  • Pinyin: Nàge gàomìzhě dédàole jiǎnglì, dàn shīqùle suǒyǒu péngyou de zūnzhòng.
  • English: That informant received a reward, but lost the respect of all his friends.
  • Analysis: `告密者` (gàomìzhě) is the noun for the person who snitches. This sentence highlights the social consequences of the act.
• Example 8:
  • 我宁愿被开除，也绝不告密。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ nìngyuàn bèi kāichú, yě jué bù gàomì.
  • English: I would rather be fired than ever snitch.
  • Analysis: The structure `宁愿…也绝不…` (nìngyuàn… yě jué bù… - would rather… than…) shows a strong moral conviction against `告密`.
• Example 9:
  • 如果你有什么不满，可以当面提出来，不要在背后搞告密这种小动作。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shénme bùmǎn, kěyǐ dāngmiàn tí chūlái, búyào zài bèihòu gǎo gàomì zhè zhǒng xiǎo dòngzuò.
  • English: If you have any dissatisfaction, you can bring it up face-to-face; don't resort to petty tricks like snitching behind my back.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts `告密` with open communication (`当面提出来`, dāngmiàn tí chūlái). `小动作` (xiǎo dòngzuò - petty tricks) further emphasizes its despicable nature.
• Example 10:
  • 他被最好的朋友告密后，就再也不相信任何人了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi zuì hǎo de péngyou gàomì hòu, jiù zài yě bù xiāngxìn rènhé rén le.
  • English: After being informed on by his best friend, he never trusted anyone again.
  • Analysis: This shows the deep emotional and psychological damage that `告密` can cause, destroying trust completely.

The most common mistake for English speakers is to confuse `告密` with other words for “reporting.” They are not interchangeable.

• `告密 (gàomì)` vs. `举报 (jǔbào)`
  • `告密` is secret and treacherous. It's about personal betrayal. You `告密` against a colleague to your boss.
  • `举报 (jǔbào)` is to report wrongdoing to the proper authorities. It can be a neutral or even civic duty. You `举报` a restaurant for health code violations or `举报` a crime to the police. It's often formal and public.
  • Incorrect: ~~我向警察告密了那个小偷。~~ (I snitched on the thief to the police.)
  • Correct: 我向警察举报了那个小偷。 (I reported the thief to the police.)
• `告密 (gàomì)` vs. `报告 (bàogào)`
  • `告密` is always negative and secretive.
  • `报告 (bàogào)` is neutral and formal. It means “to report” in the sense of giving a report, briefing, or updating someone in a hierarchy.
  • Incorrect: ~~我需要向老板告密我的工作进度。~~ (I need to snitch to the boss about my work progress.)
  • Correct: 我需要向老板报告我的工作进度。 (I need to report my work progress to the boss.)

In short, only use `告密` when you specifically mean to convey the act of snitching, tattling, or informing on someone in a way that involves betrayal and secrecy.

• 举报 (jǔbào) - To report (wrongdoing) formally to an authority. More neutral or positive than `告密`.
• 报告 (bàogào) - To report (information), to give a report. A neutral, formal term used in work or official contexts.
• 打小报告 (dǎ xiǎo bàogào) - A colloquial synonym for `告密`, literally “to give a small report.” Very common in school and office settings.
• 揭发 (jiēfā) - To expose, to unmask. Implies revealing a hidden wrongdoing, often to the public. Can overlap with `举报`.
• 出卖 (chūmài) - To sell out, to betray. A broader term for betrayal; `告密` is a specific way to `出卖` someone.
• 背叛 (bèipàn) - To betray. The general verb for the concept of betrayal.
• 小人 (xiǎorén) - A “small person”; a petty, base, or contemptible individual. The type of person who is often described as engaging in `告密`.
• 忠诚 (zhōngchéng) - Loyalty. The core value that is violated by the act of `告密`.
• 义气 (yìqì) - A code of honor, loyalty, and solidarity among friends or a group (like a “bro code”). Directly opposed to `告密`.