Chinese Conversation · Level 33
90 words
Chinese word
红绿灯
Pronunciation
Pinyinhóng lǜ dēng
Meaning
- nountraffic light
Example
前面的红绿灯坏了，请小心行走。qián miàn de hóng lǜ dēng huài le qǐng xiǎo xīn xíng zǒu
The traffic light ahead is broken, so please walk carefully.
More examples
过马路时要遵守红绿灯的指示。guò mǎ lù shí yào zūn shǒu hóng lǜ dēng de zhǐ shì
When crossing the street, follow the traffic light's instructions.
Core concept
Changing roadside lights that turn movement through streets and crossings into a clear sequence.
Common phrases
遵守红绿灯zūn shǒu hóng lǜ dēng
obey traffic lights
红绿灯变红hóng lǜ dēng biàn hóng
traffic light turns red
红绿灯变绿hóng lǜ dēng biàn lǜ
traffic light turns green
Similar words
红灯hóng dēng: A red signal light or red-light state that tells vehicles and pedestrians to stop.
绿灯lǜ dēng: A green signal light or green-light state that allows vehicles and pedestrians to go.
Definition in Chinese
安装在道路和路口，通过红、黄、绿三种灯光按顺序提示车辆与行人何时停止、注意或通行的交通信号装置。ān zhuāng zài dào lù hé lù kǒu tōng guò hóng huáng lǜ sān zhǒng dēng guāng àn shùn xù tí shì chē liàng yǔ xíng rén hé shí tíng zhǐ zhù yì huò tōng xíng de jiāo tōng xìn hào zhuāng zhì
Word origin
The compound 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng, "traffic light") joins 红 (hóng, "red") and 绿 (lǜ, "green") with 灯 (dēng, "lamp") to describe a signal made recognizable by its colors.
Usage tips
- In everyday directions, 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng, "traffic light") can be used as a landmark, so a signal may identify a meeting place as well as regulate traffic.