簽署 / 签署
qiānshǔ
The English verb "sign", meaning to write one's signature on a document, is translated as 簽署 / 签署 (qiānshǔ) in Chinese. Wiktionary also lists 簽字 / 签字 (qiānzì).
Meaning: to write one's signature on a document (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 簽署 / 签署 | qiānshǔ |
| 簽字 / 签字 | qiānzì |
When you want to express the action of writing one's signature on a document, you can use the verb forms provided. For specific contexts, 交通标志 refers to a "traffic sign". If you are referring to a sign as a noun meaning a mark or symbol, use 符號 / 符号. For a sign that represents a fact or an occurrence, use 標誌 / 标志 or 跡象 / 迹象.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 簽字 / 签字 literally means "to sign characters", where 簽 means to sign or write and 字 means character or word.
Which one should you use?
The form 簽署 / 签署 is more formal and is typically used when referring to signing official documents, contracts or treaties.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
qiānshǔ
Did you know?
- In many Chinese-speaking regions, the act of 'signing' is often accompanied by a red ink stamp called a 'chop' or 'seal', which is often more legally binding than the handwritten signature itself.
- While 簽字 refers to signing a document, if you want an artist or celebrity to give you an autograph, you would ask for their 簽名.
- Chinese culture places immense value on the calligraphy of a 簽名, as the style of the signature is believed to reveal the personality of the writer.
Examples in context
- 请注意标志，这是一个停车区域。Please pay attention to the sign, this is a parking area.
- 这些乌云是暴风雨的征兆。These dark clouds are a sign of a storm.
- 你看到那个标牌了吗？Did you see that sign?
- 这家店的招牌很引人注目。The signboard of this shop is very eye-catching.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
