绿灯

• Pinyin: lǜ dēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 绿 = 纟 + 录 (green colour); 灯 = 火 + 丁 (lamp, light)

Meaning

Green traffic light; the signal to proceed. Also used figuratively to mean permission, approval, or a go-ahead.

开绿灯 (to give the green light/grant special permission) is a very common idiom in business, government, and everyday contexts, often implying preferential treatment. The metaphor is identical to English usage.

Examples

1. 路口的信号灯刚变成绿灯，等待已久的车辆便纷纷加速驶出。 The traffic light at the intersection had just turned green, and the long-waiting cars began to accelerate through.
2. 市政府为这个大型招商项目开了绿灯，审批程序得以大幅简化。 The city government gave the green light to this major investment project, greatly streamlining the approval process.
3. 在绿灯亮起前擅自起步是一种危险的违规行为，容易引发交通事故。 Starting off before the light turns green is a dangerous violation and can easily cause a traffic accident.

Usage Guide

Context: traffic, business, government, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 相关部门为这家科技公司的上市申请开了绿灯，审批工作将加速推进。(The relevant authorities gave the green light to this technology company's listing application, and the approval process will be expedited.)
• 绿灯亮起后，行人可安全通过斑马线，但仍需注意转弯车辆。(When the green light comes on, pedestrians may safely cross at the zebra crossing, but should still be mindful of turning vehicles.)

Don't Say

• 将绿灯误写为绿登 — 绿灯 uses 灯 (lamp/light), not 登 (to climb/register); the two characters have entirely different meanings despite similar sounds

Origin & History

绿 (green) + 灯 (lamp/light) — a green-coloured traffic or signal light

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal