traffic light; green/red light as metaphor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
traffic light; traffic signal
The standard term for the signaling device at intersections. The phrase '闯红灯 (chuǎng hóngdēng)' means 'to run a red light'.
Zài在
hóng红
lǜ绿
dēng灯
qián前
qǐng请
tíng停
chē车
。
Please stop at the traffic light.
Zhè这
ge个
lù路
kǒu口
de的
hóng红
lǜ绿
dēng灯
huài坏
le了
。
The traffic light at this intersection is broken.
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Sī司
jī机
bì必
xū须
zūn遵
shǒu守
hóng红
lǜ绿
dēng灯
de的
zhǐ指
shì示
。
Drivers must follow the instructions of the traffic lights.
noun
permission or prohibition (metaphorical); green light/red light
informalUsed metaphorically in business, projects, or decision-making contexts. '开绿灯 (kāi lǜdēng)' means 'to give the green light; to give permission'. '亮红灯 (liàng hóngdēng)' means 'to give a warning; to indicate a problem'.
Xiàng项
mù目
zhōng终
yú于
huò获
dé得
le了
shàng上
jí级
de的
kāi开
lǜ绿
dēng灯
。
The project finally got the green light from the superiors.
Jīng经
jì济
shù数
jù据
liàng亮
qǐ起
le了
hóng红
dēng灯
。
The economic data gave a red light warning.