广而告之 (guǎng ér gào zhī) — to publicize widely

Definition

A formal, written phrase meaning 'to publicize widely' — closer to 'broadcast / make known to the public' than the everyday verb 宣传. Used in announcements, policy statements, and reports rather than casual speech.

verb
to publicize widely

Examples

  • 广而告之，。
    Zhè ge gōng yì guǎng gào de mù dì shì guǎng ér gào zhī, tí xǐng dà jiā zhù yì huán bǎo.
    The purpose of this public service announcement is to publicize widely and remind everyone to pay attention to environmental protection.
  • 广而告之，。
    Wǒ men xū yào tōng guò gè zhǒng qú dào guǎng ér gào zhī, ràng gèng duō rén liǎo jiě zhè ge zhèng cè.
    We need to publicize widely through various channels to let more people understand this policy.
  • ，广而告之。
    Gōng sī tuī chū le xīn chǎn pǐn, bìng jìn xíng le dà guī mó de guǎng ér gào zhī huó dòng.
    The company launched a new product and carried out a large-scale publicity campaign.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 廣; 广 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
广广guǎng
Sound part声符shēngfú
黃
黃huáng廣guǎng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 廣 combines 广 (meaning part) with 黃 (sound part); the simplified 广 is a later shorthand, not the full historical shape.

Open 广 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 而 is a picture of a beard.

Open 而 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The origin is unclear: one theory sees 告 as 壴 (a decorated drum) above 口 (an open mouth), while another sees a tongue sticking out of 口.

Open 告 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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