通知 (tōngzhī)

通知 functions as both a noun (notification, notice) and a verb (to notify, to inform). It is commonly used in workplace, school, and digital contexts to describe official or important communications.

Meanings

[noun] notification; a formal or official notice or announcement
[verb] to notify; to inform someone officially

Example Sentences

手机收到了一条新通知。 Shǒujī shōudào le yī tiáo xīn tōngzhī. The phone received a new notification.

请通知大家明天的会议推迟了。 Qǐng tōngzhī dàjiā míngtiān de huìyì tuīchí le. Please notify everyone that tomorrow's meeting has been postponed.

学校发了一份关于放假的通知。 Xuéxiào fā le yī fèn guānyú fàngjià de tōngzhī. The school sent out a notice about the holiday.

我设置了关闭应用的推送通知。 Wǒ shèzhì le guānbì yìngyòng de tuīsòng tōngzhī. I set up turning off the app's push notifications.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
发通知	to send a notification/notice
收到通知	to receive a notification
推送通知	push notification
及时通知	to notify promptly

Usage Notes

通知 is versatile as both noun and verb. As a noun, it often refers to written or official notices (e.g., school announcements). In tech contexts, 通知 or 推送通知 (push notification) refers to app alerts. The verb 通知 requires an object (notify someone): 通知他 (notify him). Compare with 告诉 (to tell), which is more casual and personal.

Memory Hook

通 (communicate/pass through) + 知 (to know): to make information pass through so someone knows — to notify.