Chinese word

信号

Pronunciation

Pinyinxìn hào

Meaning

  • nounsignal

Example

地铁里没有信号，我打不出电话。dì tiě lǐ méi yǒu xìn hào wǒ dǎ bù chū diàn huà

There is no signal in the subway, so I can't make a call.

Illustration for 信号 (signal)

More examples

司机看到信号变绿，就开车了。sī jī kàn dào xìn hào biàn lǜ jiù kāi chē le

The driver saw the signal turn green, then drove off.

Core concept

A noticeable sign, sound, light, or gesture that conveys information and may start an action.

Common phrases

  • 交通信号灯jiāo tōng xìn hào dēng

    traffic light

  • 信号变绿xìn hào biàn lǜ

    signal turns green

Similar words

红绿灯hóng lǜ dēng: Red, yellow, and green lights that tell drivers and pedestrians when to stop, wait, or go.
信号灯xìn hào dēng: An electrically powered light that shows a warning, instruction, or device status.
标志biāo zhì: A visible mark or display in a road or place that indicates a rule, direction, or warning.

Definition in Chinese

用来提示动作、状态或引起注意的标志或提示，可以指示人行动的手势和口令，也可以指示设备状态的灯光或指示灯。yòng lái tí shì dòng zuò zhuàng tài huò yín qǐ zhù yì de biāo zhì huò tí shì ké yǐ zhǐ shì rén xíng dòng de shǒu shì hé kǒu lìng yě ké yǐ zhǐ shì shè bèi zhuàng tài de dēng guāng huò zhǐ shì dēng

Word origin

信号 (xìnhào, "signal") is built from 信 (xìn, "message") and 号 (hào, "mark or call"), linking a message with the sign used to show it.

Usage tips

  • English signal and sign can overlap, but signal more often suggests information meant to guide a response; this contrast helps separate 信号 (xìnhào, "signal") from a general sign.

Other meanings

  • cuenoun

Related words

  • 信号灯xìn hào dēngtraffic lightnoun

Word lists with this word