赤信号(あかしんごう)

あかしんごう
noun
red light; red traffic signal; danger signal
transportationcommunication
1. red light; red traffic signal
A red traffic light indicating that vehicles and pedestrians must stop.
赤信号(あかしんごう)で止(と)まる。
To stop at a red light.
赤信号(あかしんごう)を無視(むし)してはいけない。
You must not ignore a red light.
赤信号(あかしんごう)が青(あお)に変(か)わるまで待(ま)ってください。
Please wait until the red light turns green.
2. danger signal; warning sign
Used figuratively to indicate a dangerous or critical situation that requires immediate attention.
健康(けんこう)に赤信号(あかしんごう)がともる。
A warning sign appears for one's health.
会社(かいしゃ)の経営(けいえい)に赤信号(あかしんごう)がともった。
A danger signal lit up for the company's management.
成績(せいせき)が下(さ)がり続(つづ)けていて、進学(しんがく)に赤信号(あかしんごう)がともっている。
Grades keep falling, and there's a warning sign for going on to the next level of school.

Literally "red signal." Used both for actual traffic lights and figuratively for danger signs.

Common collocations

Cultural note

The well-known saying 赤信号(あかしんごう)、みんなで渡(わた)れば怖(こわ)くない ("A red light is not scary if everyone crosses together") is a humorous commentary on Japanese group mentality. It was originally a comedy line by Beat Takeshi.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 青信号(あおしんごう) (green light)
Compare: 黄信号(きしんごう) (yellow light)
Related: 黄色信号(きいろしんごう) (yellow traffic light)
general
Added 2026.4.3 1:11 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
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