tōngzhī: 通知 - Notification, Notice, To Inform

• Keywords: 通知, tōngzhī, Chinese for notice, notification in Chinese, inform in Chinese, how to say notice in Mandarin, Chinese announcement, formal notification China, what is tongzhi, 通知 meaning, HSK 3 vocabulary.
• Summary: 通知 (tōngzhī) is a fundamental Chinese word that means “to inform” (verb) or “a notice” (noun). It's essential for navigating daily life in China, as it's used for any formal or official communication, from a school holiday announcement and an office memo to a government directive or a notification from your landlord. Understanding an tōngzhī is key to staying informed about important changes and requirements in any structured Chinese environment.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tōngzhī
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To inform or notify; a notice or notification.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 通知 (tōngzhī) as the official channel for information. When a person or organization in a position of authority needs to convey important information downwards to a group, they issue a 通知. It's not a casual chat or a suggestion; it’s a formal, one-way broadcast of facts, plans, or requirements. Whether it's a piece of paper on a bulletin board or an alert in a WeChat group, its purpose is to ensure everyone gets the same, official message.

• 通 (tōng): This character means “to go through,” “to connect,” or “to communicate.” Picture a clear, open road (辶) connecting two points, allowing passage. It implies a successful transfer or connection.
• 知 (zhī): This character means “to know” or “to be aware.” It's composed of 矢 (shǐ), meaning “arrow,” and 口 (kǒu), meaning “mouth.” One can imagine words (from the mouth) being sharp and direct like an arrow, leading to knowledge.
• When combined, 通知 (tōngzhī) literally means “to communicate knowledge” or “to make knowledge pass through.” This perfectly captures the essence of formally informing someone so that they know something important.

In Chinese culture, which often values clear hierarchies and collective harmony, 通知 (tōngzhī) plays a crucial role in maintaining order and efficiency. It is the primary tool for top-down communication in schools, companies, government agencies, and even residential communities. A 通知 (tōngzhī) is not just information; it's a reflection of a structured social order. It signifies that the information comes from a legitimate authority and is expected to be read and, if necessary, acted upon. This contrasts with the more individualistic and often less formal communication styles in many Western cultures. For instance, an American manager might send a casual “heads-up” email. While the intent is similar, a Chinese 通知 carries a heavier weight of officialdom. It isn't a conversation starter; it's a formal declaration. This system ensures clarity and reduces ambiguity, which is highly valued in a collectivist context where everyone needs to be on the same page.

通知 (tōngzhī) is an everyday term, though it leans towards formal or semi-formal situations.

You will see written 通知 everywhere:

• In Apartment Buildings: A 通知 on the lobby bulletin board will announce things like a planned power outage (停电通知, tíngdiàn tōngzhī) or elevator maintenance (电梯维修通知, diàntī wéixiū tōngzhī).
• In the Office: An email with the subject line “会议通知” (huìyì tōngzhī) is a formal notification for a meeting.
• In Schools: Teachers send a 通知 to parents via WeChat groups about holidays, parent-teacher meetings, or policy changes.
• Online: App notifications are often labeled 通知. Your phone's notification center is called the “通知中心” (tōngzhī zhōngxīn).

This is used when one person formally conveys information to another, especially in an official capacity.

• Formality: It is more formal than the common word 告诉 (gàosu - to tell). You would 通知 your team about a deadline change, but you would 告诉 your friend you're running late.
• Connotation: It is neutral and factual. Its primary goal is the clear transmission of information.

• Example 1:
  • 请大家查看公告栏上的通知。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng dàjiā chákàn gōnggàolán shàng de tōngzhī.
  • English: Everyone, please check the notice on the bulletin board.
  • Analysis: Here, 通知 is a noun. This is a very common phrase used in offices or residential communities to direct people to important information.
• Example 2:
  • 公司会用邮件通知你面试结果。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī huì yòng yóujiàn tōngzhī nǐ miànshì jiéguǒ.
  • English: The company will inform you of the interview result by email.
  • Analysis: Here, 通知 is a verb. It shows a formal communication process from an organization (the company) to an individual.
• Example 3:
  • 如果会议时间有变，请及时通知我。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ huìyì shíjiān yǒu biàn, qǐng jíshí tōngzhī wǒ.
  • English: If the meeting time changes, please inform me in a timely manner.
  • Analysis: A common and polite way to request updates in a professional setting. “及时” (jíshí - timely, promptly) is often paired with 通知.
• Example 4:
  • 我们收到了学校发来的放假通知。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shōudào le xuéxiào fālái de fàngjià tōngzhī.
  • English: We received the holiday notice sent by the school.
  • Analysis: 通知 is a noun, modified by “放假” (fàngjià - to have a holiday) to specify its content. This is a typical sentence a parent might say.
• Example 5:
  • 他怎么没通知我们今天要开会？
  • Pinyin: Tā zěnme méi tōngzhī wǒmen jīntiān yào kāihuì?
  • English: Why didn't he inform us that there's a meeting today?
  • Analysis: Using 通知 as a verb in a question, implying that a formal notification was expected but not received.
• Example 6:
  • 这份通知很重要，你一定要仔细看。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn tōngzhī hěn zhòngyào, nǐ yídìng yào zǐxì kàn.
  • English: This notice is very important, you must read it carefully.
  • Analysis: Shows 通知 used as a noun with the measure word 份 (fèn), which is common for documents.
• Example 7:
  • 房东通知我下个月要涨房租了。
  • Pinyin: Fángdōng tōngzhī wǒ xià ge yuè yào zhǎng fángzū le.
  • English: The landlord informed me that the rent is going up next month.
  • Analysis: A classic example of semi-formal communication. The relationship is transactional, so 通知 is more appropriate than the casual 告诉 (gàosu).
• Example 8:
  • 我已经被通知明天去参加培训。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng bèi tōngzhī míngtiān qù cānjiā péixùn.
  • English: I have been notified to attend the training tomorrow.
  • Analysis: Using the passive voice with 被 (bèi) is very common with 通知, as one is often the recipient of a notice.
• Example 9:
  • 政府发布了紧急通知，要求市民减少外出。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ fābù le jǐnjí tōngzhī, yāoqiú shìmín jiǎnshǎo wàichū.
  • English: The government issued an emergency notice, requiring citizens to reduce going out.
  • Analysis: 通知 as a noun in a highly formal, official context. An “紧急通知” (jǐnjí tōngzhī) is an emergency notice.
• Example 10:
  • 领导让我通知大家，下午三点开会。
  • Pinyin: Lǐngdǎo ràng wǒ tōngzhī dàjiā, xiàwǔ sān diǎn kāihuì.
  • English: The boss asked me to inform everyone that the meeting is at 3 PM.
  • Analysis: This shows how an individual can act as a conduit for a formal 通知. The speaker is passing on an official message from a superior.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 通知 (tōngzhī) with 告诉 (gàosu). They both involve “telling,” but their formality and context are completely different. 通知 (tōngzhī) - To Inform (Formal)

• Who: Authority to subordinate (boss to employee, school to student, government to citizen).
• What: Official business, rules, schedules, important changes.
• How: Often written, one-to-many, carries weight.

告诉 (gàosu) - To Tell (Informal)

• Who: Peers, friends, family.
• What: Personal news, casual plans, secrets, general information.
• How: Usually spoken, one-to-one or in small groups, casual.

Incorrect Usage Example:

WRONG: 我通知你我昨晚看了一部很好看的电影。
(Wǒ tōngzhī nǐ wǒ zuówǎn kànle yí bù hěn hǎokàn de diànyǐng.)
Literally: “I hereby formally notify you that I watched a very good movie last night.”

Why it's wrong: This sounds absurdly formal and robotic. Telling a friend about a movie is a casual, personal act. The speaker has no authority over the listener. Correct Usage:

RIGHT: 我告诉你，我昨晚看了一部很好看的电影。
(Wǒ gàosu nǐ, wǒ zuówǎn kànle yí bù hěn hǎokàn de diànyǐng.)
Meaning: “Let me tell you, I watched a really good movie last night.”

• 告诉 (gàosu) - “To tell.” The most common and informal counterpart to 通知. Use this with friends and family.
• 宣布 (xuānbù) - To announce, to declare. More public and ceremonial than 通知. Used for major events like announcing a winner, a new policy, or a declaration of war.
• 公告 (gōnggào) - A public announcement, a proclamation (noun). This is often the title of a very formal, public 通知.
• 提醒 (tíxǐng) - To remind. This is for information the person already knows but might have forgotten. It's a gentle nudge, not a formal notification.
• 消息 (xiāoxi) - News, message, information. This is the *content* that a 通知 might contain. You receive a 通知 that contains a 消息.
• 传达 (chuándá) - To pass on, to convey. Refers to the act of transmitting information, often down a chain of command. A manager might 传达 a director's 通知 to their team.
• 指令 (zhǐlìng) - An order, a directive. Much stronger and more command-like than a 通知. This is a direct instruction that must be obeyed, common in military or emergency contexts.
• 便条 (biàntiáo) - A (casual) note. An informal, often handwritten message left for someone. It's the opposite of a formal 通知.