Minecraft wiki entry for Command_blocks_and_functions, associated text: Command blocks and functions can also be used to make text appear in the person's chat menu. The code to do this is /tell @p <message>, or /tell <username> <message>. If the @p parameter is present only the nearest person will see the message. If a username was specified, the username will be sent the message. The player can also type: /tell <your username> @p, e.g. /tell <username> and whenever someone walks over it, it will say: "[@] whispers to the player: <username>".