tell story
يروي قصة
Use `tell a story` to turn a simple set of facts into an engaging, human experience.
15秒でわかる
- Sharing a sequence of events to entertain or inform.
- Used in everything from bedtime routines to business presentations.
- Requires a beginning, a middle, and an end.
意味
This phrase describes the act of sharing a sequence of events, real or imaginary, with someone else. It is about more than just talking; it is about painting a picture with your words.
主な例文
3 / 6Putting a child to sleep
Can you tell me a story before I go to sleep?
Can you tell me a story before I go to sleep?
At a dinner party
He really knows how to tell a story that keeps everyone laughing.
He really knows how to tell a story that keeps everyone laughing.
A business presentation
We need our data to tell a story to the investors.
We need our data to tell a story to the investors.
文化的背景
Storytelling is deeply rooted in the oral traditions of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon history. In modern Western culture, 'storytelling' has become a buzzword in marketing and leadership, emphasizing that people connect more with narratives than with raw data.
The 'Tell vs Say' Rule
Always use `tell` with stories. You `say` words, but you `tell` stories, jokes, and lies.
Watch for the 'Liar' Meaning
If someone says 'Stop telling stories!', they might be accusing you of lying in a polite way.
15秒でわかる
- Sharing a sequence of events to entertain or inform.
- Used in everything from bedtime routines to business presentations.
- Requires a beginning, a middle, and an end.
What It Means
To tell a story is to narrate an experience or a fictional tale. It involves a beginning, a middle, and an end. You are not just giving facts. You are sharing a journey. It is one of the oldest human activities. We do it to entertain, to teach, or to bond.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you want to share an anecdote. You can say, "Let me tell you a story about my trip." It works with various tenses too. You can tell stories (plural) or be telling a story (continuous). Don't forget the article a or the. Without it, the sentence feels empty and sad.
When To Use It
Use it during a coffee break with a friend. Use it when putting a child to bed. It is perfect for job interviews to show your experience. Use it at parties to be the center of attention. If you had a crazy morning at the bank, you have a story to tell. Even data can tell a story in a business meeting.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for a quick, one-sentence fact. If you just say "I am hungry," that is not a story. Avoid it when someone needs a very fast, technical answer. If a police officer asks for your ID, don't say "Let me tell you a story." They just want the card, not the drama. Also, in some contexts, telling stories can mean lying, so be careful with your tone.
Cultural Background
Storytelling is the heartbeat of English-speaking cultures. From Shakespeare to Hollywood, we love a good narrative. In the US and UK, being a good storyteller makes you very popular. It is how we pass down family history. We even call people who lie "storytellers" in a gentle, teasing way. It suggests they have a very active imagination.
Common Variations
You might hear spin a yarn, which is an old-fashioned way to say it. Relate a tale is very formal and sounds like a book. Share an experience is the corporate version. If someone is exaggerating, you might say they are telling tall tales. But tell a story remains the classic, most reliable version.
使い方のコツ
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social or professional setting. Just remember that 'tell' requires an object (tell *me*, tell *him*, tell *the audience*).
The 'Tell vs Say' Rule
Always use `tell` with stories. You `say` words, but you `tell` stories, jokes, and lies.
Watch for the 'Liar' Meaning
If someone says 'Stop telling stories!', they might be accusing you of lying in a polite way.
The 'Long Story Short' Trick
When your story is too long, say `To make a long story short...` to jump to the end. Americans love this!
例文
6Can you tell me a story before I go to sleep?
Can you tell me a story before I go to sleep?
A very common bedtime request.
He really knows how to tell a story that keeps everyone laughing.
He really knows how to tell a story that keeps everyone laughing.
Refers to someone's social skill.
We need our data to tell a story to the investors.
We need our data to tell a story to the investors.
Metaphorical use meaning to make data meaningful.
I have a crazy story to tell you about last night!
I have a crazy story to tell you about last night!
Used to build excitement or suspense.
Don't tell stories, I know you ate the last cookie!
Don't tell stories, I know you ate the last cookie!
Here, 'telling stories' is a light way to say 'lying'.
The old monuments tell a story of a forgotten era.
The old monuments tell a story of a forgotten era.
Used when objects or places reveal history.
自分をテスト
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence.
My grandfather used to ___ us stories about the war.
In English, we always 'tell' a story, we never 'say' or 'speak' a story.
Complete the phrase with the missing article.
I have ___ amazing story to tell you.
Since 'amazing' starts with a vowel sound, we use 'an' before 'story'.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality of 'Tell a Story'
Chatting with friends about your day.
Let me tell you a story...
Standard use in most daily situations.
She told a story to the kids.
Professional or literary contexts.
The author tells a story of survival.
Where to Tell a Story
By a campfire
Scary stories
Job Interview
Success stories
Bedtime
Fairy tales
Coffee shop
Gossip or news
よくある質問
10 問No, that sounds unnatural. You must always use tell a story.
Not at all. It can be about real life, history, or even business results.
It means using data or examples to create a narrative that people can understand and remember.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes! We often say things like these scars tell a story or the old house tells a story.
A storyteller is someone who is very good at narrating events or someone who writes books/movies.
You can start with Let me tell you a story... or I have a story for you.
Sometimes. In British English especially, telling a 'story' can be a childish word for a lie.
A story is common and modern. A tale sounds more magical, old, or legendary.
Yes, it is perfectly fine to use in academic writing when discussing literature or narrative structure.
関連フレーズ
Spin a yarn
To tell a long, imaginative, and often exaggerated story.
Long story short
A phrase used to skip the boring details and get to the point.
Recount an experience
A more formal way to describe telling someone what happened.
Tall tale
A story that is very difficult to believe because it is so exaggerated.
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