SAY  vs  TELL: meaning and use

SAY and TELL are often confused or misused.
You SAY something to someone : Alex said hello to everyone.
You TELL someone something:    Jack told Jill he was tired.

• Say is used to report someone's words.
  • She said "I'm thirsty. I'd like a glass of water."
  • She said (that) she was thirsty and would like a glass of water.
  • He said he would call to see his parents on his way home.
    
    
• Say is followed by 'to' before the object :
  • Did she actually say that to you?
    
  • Please say a few words to the pupils before you leave.
    
  • He didn't say anything to his parents about his plans.
  • Say hello to your parents for me.
  • He was asked to say a few words to the participants.
    
    
• Say is used to ask about languages :
  • Do you know how to say 'water' in Spanish?
    
  • How do you say "thank you" in Chinese?
    
    
• We say :
  'hello', 'goodbye', 'please', 'thank you', 'yes', 'no', 'congratulations', 'good luck', 'sorry', 'excuse me', 'Merry Christmas', 'Happy New Year', 'Happy Birthday',  'see you soon' ...
  

•  Tell is used to inform or instruct :
  • Could you tell me the way to the station please?
  • Tell the children to go to bed!
  • Don't tell a lie. Tell me the truth!
  • Tell the postman to leave the parcel on the porch.
    
    
• Tell is followed directly by the object (no 'to'):
  • Did she tell you her name?
  • I'm sure Anna will tell us all the latest news.
    
  • Tell me if you need any help.
  • The teacher told the children to stop making noise.
    
    
• Tell is used for narration:
  • Tom has always been very good at telling stories.
  • I want you to tell me all about your trip.
  • He often starts his speeches by telling a joke.
  • Tell me how you met your husband/wife.
  
  
  
• We tell :
  the time, our name, how to do something, the truth, a lie, a secret, a story, a joke, the difference between two things, tell (someone) how to do something, tell someone's fortune, the way to the station, where something is ...