Meaning
告密者 refers to a person who secretly reports information about others to authorities or relevant parties. The word carries a generally negative connotation, suggesting betrayal or disloyalty, similar to 'snitch' or 'tattletale' in English. It can refer to someone who informs on criminals, colleagues, or even friends and family members.
Usage
This term is typically used in negative contexts to describe someone who betrays trust by revealing secrets or private information. In some contexts, particularly involving serious crimes or corruption, it can be more neutral (similar to 'whistleblower'). Common in news reports, crime dramas, and discussions about loyalty and betrayal. The word 线人 (xiàn rén) is sometimes used for police informants specifically.
Examples
- 01他们发现队伍中有一个告密者向警方泄露了计划。.They discovered there was an informer in the group who leaked the plan to the police.
- 02在那个时代，告密者常常受到社会的唾弃。, .In that era, informers were often scorned by society.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个告密者
- 名三名告密者
Common collocations
- 充当告密者to act as an informer
- 告密者身份identity of the informer
- 秘密告密者secret informant
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 告 (to tell/inform), 密 (secret), and the nominalizing suffix 者 (person who), literally meaning 'person who tells secrets.' The structure follows a common Chinese pattern for forming agent nouns.