告げる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 告げる is read as つげる and is an ichidan transitive verb for clearly telling or announcing significant information such as a time or result.
• Basic usage: Use 鐘の音が正午を告げる for a signal announcing a time and 結果を本人に告げる for telling a person a result.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Nonhuman subject
  • A signal such as a bell can be the subject and announce the arrival of noon.
• More formal than 言う
  • It naturally fits deliberate communication of weighty or official information, such as giving someone examination results.