信号

• Pinyin: xìn hào
• Hanzi breakdown: 信 = 亻(person) + 言 (speech); 号 = 口 (mouth) + 丂 (phonetic), meaning 'number/sign/mark'

Meaning

Signal; a sign used to communicate information.

Covers a wide range of signals: mobile phone signal (手机信号), traffic signal (交通信号), Wi-Fi signal, and figurative signals. Very common in modern daily life: 信号不好 (the signal is bad) is one of the most frequently heard complaints. Also used for abstract signals: 这是一个好的信号 (This is a good sign).

Examples

1. 这里手机信号不好。 The mobile signal here is not good.
2. 红灯是停下来的信号。 A red light is a signal to stop.
3. 我的手机没有信号了。 My phone has no signal.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, communication, traffic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这里信号太差了。(The signal here is too weak.)
• 等信号灯变绿再走。(Wait for the signal light to turn green before crossing.)

Don't Say

• 用信号代替标志 (Don't use 信号 when you mean 标志 sign/logo — 信号 is a communicative signal, while 标志 is a physical sign or symbol like a road sign or brand logo)

Origin & History

信 (xìn, message/trust) + 号 (hào, sign/mark). Literally 'message sign' — a sign that carries a message or instruction.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal