停车标志
tíngchē biāozhì
The English phrase "stop sign" is 停车标志 (tíngchē biāozhì) in Chinese.
Meaning: traffic sign (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
停车标志 is composed of 停车 (tíngchē), meaning 'to stop a vehicle' and 标志 (biāozhì), meaning 'sign' or 'mark'.
Which one should you use?
While 停车标志 is the standard term, 停止标志 (tíngzhǐ biāozhì) is a common alternative. This alternative uses 停止 (tíngzhǐ), which means 'to cease' or 'to stop' in a more general sense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mandarin-speaking regions such as Taiwan and Singapore, the form 停車標誌 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
tíngchē biāozhì
Did you know?
- In many Chinese cities, a 'stop sign' is not just a sign but a painted phrase on the road surface, often appearing as 停止 (tíngzhǐ) to warn drivers.
- The character 车 (chē) in 停车标志 is a simplified version of 車, which originally depicted a chariot with two wheels and an axle.
- While 标志 (biāozhì) means 'sign', it is also the word used for a brand's 'logo' in a business context.
Examples in context
- 当你看到红色的停车标志，要立刻停下车。When you see a red stop sign, you should immediately stop the vehicle.
- 那个停车标志是红色的。Nàge tíngchē biāozhì shì hóngsè de.That stop sign is red.
- 前面有一个停车标志。Qiánmiàn yǒu yīgè tíngchē biāozhì.There is a stop sign ahead.
- 请注意那个停车标志。Qǐng zhùyì nàge tíngchē biāozhì.Please watch that stop sign.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is teaching Zihan how to drive.
- 志强 Zhiqiang梓涵，快看那个停车标志。Zǐhán, kuài kàn nàgè tíngchē biāozhì.Zihan, look at that stop sign.
- 梓涵 Zihan看到了，我现在就刹车。Kàndào le, wǒ xiànzài jiù shāchē.I see it, I'm braking now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang停稳以后再慢慢启动。Tíng wěn yǐhòu zài mànman qǐdòng.Start slowly after coming to a full stop.
- 梓涵 Zihan好的，志强。Hǎo de, Zhìqiáng.Okay, Zhiqiang.
