青信号(あおしんごう)

あおしんごう
noun
green light; go signal; green traffic signal
transportationcommunication
1. green light; green traffic signal
A green traffic light indicating that it is safe to proceed.
青信号(あおしんごう)で渡(わた)る。
To cross at the green light.
青信号(あおしんごう)になったら進(すす)んでください。
Please proceed when the light turns green.
青信号(あおしんごう)に変(か)わったのに、前(まえ)の車(くるま)が動(うご)かない。
The light turned green, but the car in front won't move.
2. go-ahead; green light; approval
Used figuratively to mean permission or approval to proceed with something.
計画(けいかく)に青信号(あおしんごう)が出(で)た。
The plan got the green light.
上司(じょうし)から青信号(あおしんごう)をもらった。
I got the go-ahead from my boss.
新(あたら)しいプロジェクトに青信号(あおしんごう)が出(で)たので、さっそく準備(じゅんび)を始(はじ)めた。
The new project got the green light, so we started preparations right away.

Literally "blue signal." In Japanese, the color 青(あお) covers both blue and green. Traffic lights in Japan are officially called 青(あお) even though they appear green.

Common collocations

  • 青信号(あおしんごう)で渡(わた)る: to cross at the green light
  • 青信号(あおしんごう)になる: the light turns green
  • 青信号(あおしんごう)が出(で)る: to get the green light (figurative)
  • 青信号(あおしんごう)をもらう: to receive approval

Cultural note

Japan uses 青(あお) (blue) rather than 緑(みどり) (green) for traffic lights. This reflects the traditional Japanese color system where 青(あお) encompassed a wider range including what English speakers would call green. In 1973, the Japanese government officially mandated that traffic lights be made as blue-green as possible to better match the word 青(あお).

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 赤信号(あかしんごう) (red light)
Compare: 黄信号(きしんごう) (yellow light)
Compare: 青(あお)い (blue, green)
Related: 黄色信号(きいろしんごう) (yellow traffic light)
general
Added 2026.4.3 1:12 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
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