The word 告知 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a core meaning that merges to create a new concept. The first character, 告 (gào), carries the fundamental idea of "to tell" or "to inform". It is paired with 知 (zhī), which represents the idea of "to know" or "knowledge". Their combination is not merely additive but conceptual, where the action of 告 (telling) is directed toward the result of 知 (knowing), thus forming the complete notion of "to notify" or "to let someone know", encapsulating the entire process of imparting information from one party to another.