信号

• Reading: しんごう
• Romaji: shingou
• Kanji breakdown: 信 (shin) — trust, believe, message; 号 (gou) — sign, number, signal
• Pronunciation: /ɕiɴ.ɡoː/

Meaning

Traffic signal; traffic light. Also used more broadly for any kind of signal.

A noun meaning signal or traffic light. In daily conversation, 信号 most often refers to traffic lights at intersections. Japanese traffic lights use the colours blue/green (青), yellow (黄色), and red (赤). Interestingly, the green light is traditionally called 青信号 (blue signal) in Japanese.

Examples

1. 信号が青になったら渡ってください。 Please cross when the light turns green.
2. 信号を右に曲がると学校があります。 If you turn right at the traffic light, there's a school.
3. あの信号のところで止まってください。 Please stop at that traffic light.

Usage Guide

Context: directions, driving, pedestrian safety

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound of 信 (trust, message) and 号 (sign, number). Originally meant any kind of signal or sign before becoming associated with traffic lights.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal