tell

say, speak, state, talk, tell, utter

这些动词均有“说、讲”之意。
say: 最普通常用词，指用语言表达思想，着重所说的内容。
speak: 侧重于说话动作的本身，着重说话的能力而不在内容，比如能说某种语言。
state: 较正式用词，通常指用明确的语言或文字着重地叙述事实，既强调内容又注重语气。
talk: 普通用词，侧重指与人交谈时的连续说话，可指单方面较长谈话，和speak一样，着重说活动作而不侧重内容。
tell: 指告诉或讲述。
utter: 着重说话的行为，常指声音的使用，突出用噪子发声。

名词 tell:

1. a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
   同义词：William Tell

动词 tell:

1. express in words
   同义词：state, say
2. let something be known
3. narrate or give a detailed account of
   同义词：narrate, recount, recite
4. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
   同义词：order, enjoin, say
5. discern or comprehend
6. inform positively and with certainty and confidence
   同义词：assure
7. give evidence
   同义词：evidence
8. mark as different
   同义词：distinguish, separate, differentiate, secern, secernate, severalize, severalise, tell apart

1. It's difficult to tell Jean from Joan; they look so alike.
   琴和琼很难分得出来，她们长得太像了。
2. I always tell my daughter a story before she goes to sleep.
   女儿睡觉之前，我总讲故事给她听。
3. It's impossible to tell who will win the next election.
   下届选举谁能获胜无法预知。