1.
red light; red traffic signal
A red traffic light indicating that vehicles and pedestrians must stop.
赤信号で止まる。
To stop at a red light.
赤信号を無視してはいけない。
You must not ignore a red light.
赤信号が青に変わるまで待ってください。
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.
健康に赤信号がともる。
A warning sign appears for one's health.
会社の経営に赤信号がともった。
A danger signal lit up for the company's management.
成績が下がり続けていて、進学に赤信号がともっている。
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:
- 赤信号で止まる: to stop at a red light
- 赤信号を無視する: to run a red light
- 赤信号がともる: a warning sign appears (figurative)
- 赤信号が点滅する: a red light flashes
CULTURAL NOTE:
The well-known saying 赤信号、みんなで渡れば怖くない ("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:
- 青信号: green light — indicates it is safe to proceed
- 黄信号: yellow light — caution signal