忠告 (zhōnggào): sincere advice; earnest counsel

Measure Word

一条忠告 tiáo

我有一条忠告给你。

Wǒyǒu yītiáo zhōnggào gěi nǐ.

I have a piece of advice for you.

他不听朋友的忠告。

Tā bù tīng péngyou de zhōnggào.

He doesn't listen to his friends' advice.

我忠告你，不要跟他们混在一起。

Wǒ zhōnggào nǐ, bùyào gēn tāmen hùn zài yīqǐ.

I sincerely advise you not to hang out with them.

usage

忠告 carries weight — it implies the advice is serious, well-intentioned, and possibly unwelcome. Lighter advice uses 建议 (jiànyì, suggestion) instead.

忠 zhōng

告 gào