xìnhào: 信号 - Signal, Sign, Cue

• Keywords: xinhao, 信号, Chinese signal, what does xinhao mean, Chinese for signal, traffic signal, cell phone signal, send a signal in Chinese, social cues in China, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 信号 (xìnhào), the essential Chinese word for “signal.” This comprehensive guide covers everything from technical uses like cell phone or traffic signals to understanding subtle social cues in modern China. Discover how xìnhào is used in daily conversation and avoid common mistakes, making your Chinese communication clearer and more natural.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xìn hào
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: A sign, gesture, or transmitted wave (like radio or light) that conveys information or an instruction.
• In a Nutshell: `信号` is the universal Chinese word for any kind of “signal.” It's a highly practical term that you'll encounter everywhere, from the technical world of Wi-Fi and cell phones (`手机信号` - cell signal) to the nuanced world of human interaction (`给我一个信号` - give me a signal/cue). Think of it as the carrier of a message, whether that message is coming from a satellite or a simple nod from a friend.

• 信 (xìn): This character's core meaning is related to “information,” “message,” or a “letter.” It also carries the important meaning of “trust” or “faith.” In `信号`, it contributes the idea of information being conveyed.
• 号 (hào): This character means “sign,” “mark,” “symbol,” or “number.” It suggests a visible or perceptible marker.

When combined, 信号 (xìnhào) literally translates to an “information sign” or “message mark.” This beautifully captures its essence: a tangible sign that carries intangible information.

While `信号` is often a direct, technical term, its use in social contexts reveals a key aspect of Chinese communication. Chinese culture can often favor indirectness and high-context communication, where meaning is implied rather than stated outright. In this environment, being able to “read the signals” (`读懂信号`) is a crucial social skill. This differs slightly from the Western concept of “reading the room.” While similar, using the word `信号` to describe a social cue—like a friend looking at their watch to signal it's time to leave—is very common and explicit in Chinese. It's a verbal acknowledgment of the non-verbal. A person might say, “他给了我一个离开的信号” (He gave me a signal to leave), directly labeling the subtle cue. This highlights a cultural emphasis on observing and correctly interpreting non-verbal information in social harmony. A failure to pick up on a `信号` can lead to awkwardness or a loss of “face” (`面子`).

`信号` is used constantly in two main domains: the technical and the social.

This is the most common usage. The structure is typically `[Device/System] + 信号`.

• 手机信号 (shǒujī xìnhào): Cell phone signal/reception.
• WiFi信号 (WiFi xìnhào): Wi-Fi signal.
• 交通信号 (jiāotōng xìnhào): Traffic signal (often refers to the whole system, while `红绿灯` refers to the traffic light itself).
• 电视信号 (diànshì xìnhào): TV signal.

This usage refers to cues, hints, and indicators in human interaction, economics, or politics.

• 发出信号 (fāchū xìnhào): To send out a signal.
• 收到信号 (shōudào xìnhào): To receive a signal.
• 危险信号 (wēixiǎn xìnhào): A danger signal, a red flag.
• 错误的信号 (cuòwù de xìnhào): The wrong signal, a misleading message.
• 积极的信号 (jījí de xìnhào): A positive signal/sign.

• Example 1:
• 我的手机在这里没有信号。
• Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī zài zhèlǐ méiyǒu xìnhào.
• English: My cell phone has no signal here.
• Analysis: This is one of the most common uses of the word. Note the use of `没有 (méiyǒu)` to say “to have no signal.”
• Example 2:
• 你必须等绿色的信号才能过马路。
• Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū děng lǜsè de xìnhào cái néng guò mǎlù.
• English: You must wait for the green signal to cross the road.
• Analysis: Here, `信号` refers to the traffic light's instruction. `绿色的信号` literally means “the green-colored signal.”
• Example 3:
• 咖啡馆的WiFi信号很强。
• Pinyin: Kāfēiguǎn de WiFi xìnhào hěn qiáng.
• English: The cafe's Wi-Fi signal is very strong.
• Analysis: `强 (qiáng)` means strong, and its opposite, `弱 (ruò)`, means weak. These are the standard adjectives for signal strength.
• Example 4:
• 他对我点了点头，这是一个开始的信号。
• Pinyin: Tā duì wǒ diǎn le diǎn tóu, zhè shì yī個 kāishǐ de xìnhào.
• English: He nodded at me; this was the signal to begin.
• Analysis: This shows `信号` being used for a clear, non-verbal cue in a social context.
• Example 5:
• 我想我可能误解了她的信号。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng wǒ kěnéng wùjiěle tā de xìnhào.
• English: I think I might have misunderstood her signals.
• Analysis: `误解 (wùjiě)` means to misunderstand. This is a common phrase when discussing social cues and dating.
• Example 6:
• 公司的利润下降是一个危险信号。
• Pinyin: Gōngsī de lìrùn xiàjiàng shì yī ge wēixiǎn xìnhào.
• English: The company's falling profits are a danger signal.
• Analysis: This is a great example of metaphorical use in a business or economic context. `危险信号` is a set phrase for “red flag” or “danger sign.”
• Example 7:
• 你那么说会给老板发出一个错误的信号。
• Pinyin: Nǐ nàme shuō huì gěi lǎobǎn fāchū yī ge cuòwù de xìnhào.
• English: Saying that will send the wrong signal to the boss.
• Analysis: The pattern `发出一个错误的信号 (fāchū yī ge cuòwù de xìnhào)` is very useful for explaining that an action might give a bad impression.
• Example 8:
• 裁判员发出了比赛结束的信号。
• Pinyin: Cáipànyuán fāchūle bǐsài jiéshù de xìnhào.
• English: The referee gave the signal for the end of the match.
• Analysis: This shows the common collocation `发出 (fāchū)` meaning “to emit” or “to send out” a signal.
• Example 9:
• 在这个山谷里，收音机信号断断续续的。
• Pinyin: Zài zhège shāngǔ lǐ, shōuyīnjī xìnhào duànduànxùxù de.
• English: In this valley, the radio signal is intermittent.
• Analysis: The adverb `断断续续 (duànduànxùxù)` vividly describes a signal that is “on-again, off-again.”
• Example 10:
• 看到他脸上的微笑，我收到了一个积极的信号。
• Pinyin: Kàn dào tā liǎn shàng de wéixiào, wǒ shōudàole yī ge jījí de xìnhào.
• English: Seeing the smile on his face, I received a positive signal.
• Analysis: This sentence uses the verb `收到 (shōudào)`, “to receive,” which is the natural counterpart to `发出 (fāchū)`.

• `信号 (xìnhào)` vs. `标志 (biāozhì)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
• `信号` is dynamic and transmits information. It can change (a traffic light), appear/disappear (a Wi-Fi signal), or be a temporary action (a gesture).
• `标志 (biāozhì)` is a static sign, symbol, or logo. It doesn't “transmit” in the same way. A stop sign is a `标志`, not a `信号`. The Nike “swoosh” is a `标志`.
• Example of mistake:
  • `*错误的：` 我在路上看到了一个红色的停止信号。
  • `*正确的：` 我在路上看到了一个红色的停止标志。 (I saw a red stop sign on the road.)
• Not a Verb: In English, “signal” can be a verb (“He signaled me to come over”). In Chinese, `信号` is almost exclusively a noun. To express the action, you must use a verb like `发出 (fāchū)` or `给 (gěi)`: `他给我一个过来的信号` (He gave me a signal to come over).

• 标志 (biāozhì) - A static sign, mark, or logo. Differentiated from the dynamic nature of `信号`.
• 暗号 (ànhào) - A secret signal, password, or code word, often used between spies or friends. A very specific type of `信号`.
• 手势 (shǒushì) - A hand gesture. A `手势` is a common way to give a `信号`.
• 信息 (xìnxī) - Information. This is the content that a `信号` carries.
• 提示 (tíshì) - A hint or a prompt. A `提示` is a gentle, often verbal, `信号` intended to help someone.
• 预兆 (yùzhào) - An omen or a portent. A `预兆` is a type of natural or supernatural `信号` that foretells the future.
• 迹象 (jìxiàng) - A sign or indication of a developing situation or trend (e.g., “signs of economic recovery”). More abstract than `信号`.
• 传达 (chuándá) - To transmit, pass on, convey. This is the verb for what a `信号` does.
• 指令 (zhǐlìng) - An order or an instruction. This is often the message contained within a formal `信号`.