信号
shingō[ɕĩŋɡo̞ː]
The Japanese phrase for traffic light is 信号 (shingō). If unsure, use 信号. Wiktionary also lists 交通信号 (kōtsū shingō) and ゴーストップ (gōsutoppu).
Meaning: signalling device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 信号 | shingō | [ɕĩŋɡo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 交通信号 | kōtsū shingō | [ko̞ːt͡sɨː ɕĩŋɡo̞ː] (narrow) |
| ゴーストップ | gōsutoppu | [ɡo̞ː sɨ̥to̞p̚pɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 信号機 | shingōki | [ɕĩŋɡo̞ːkʲi] (narrow) |
信号 is the common way to refer to them in daily conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 信号 literally means 'signal'.
Which one should you use?
信号 refers to the signal itself, while 信号機 specifically refers to the physical traffic light apparatus/machine. 交通信号 is a more formal and descriptive term meaning 'traffic signal'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Hokkaidō dialect, the term for traffic light is シグナル.
How do you pronounce it?
shingō
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often say 'green light', but in Japanese, the green light is called 青信号, literally 'blue signal', because the color was historically categorized as blue.
Did you know?
- The term ゴーストップ for a traffic light is an example of 'Wasei eigo', which are English-based words coined in Japan that are not used in English-speaking countries.
- The word 信号 is used broadly for any kind of 'signal', meaning the same word applies to both road lights and electronic signals.
- The suffix 機 in 信号機 is used for various machines, meaning the traffic light is linguistically categorized as a mechanical device.
Examples in context
- 信号が赤になった。The traffic light changed to red.This sentence is useful for describing a light changing to red using 信号.Tatoeba #145716 by bunbuku, translation #268846 by CK
- 最初の信号を右に。Turn right at the first traffic light.This sentence is useful for giving directions at a traffic light using 信号.Tatoeba #9518577 by small_snow, translation #9518568 by CK
- 信号は青だったよ。The traffic light was green.This sentence is useful for stating that a light was green using 信号.Tatoeba #10543615 by small_snow, translation #10543266 by AlanF_US
- 信号が赤の時、止まりましょう。When the traffic light is red, let's stop.
- 信号を守って、道路を渡りましょう。Let's obey the traffic lights and cross the road.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are walking to the station together.
- 陽葵 Himariあそこの信号、青になったよ。Asoko no shingō, ao ni natta yo.The traffic light over there turned green.
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。急いで渡ろう。Hontō da. Isoide watarō.You're right. Let's cross quickly.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、もうすぐ信号が赤に変わるよ。A, mōsugu shingō ga aka ni kawaru yo.Oh, the traffic light is about to change to red.
- 蓮 Ren蓮、走らなくていいよ。Ren, hashiranakute ii yo.Ren, you don't need to run.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traffic light” translations and entries 信号, 交通信号, ゴーストップ, 信号機, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ゴーストップ, 交通信号, 信号機, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
