1.
yellow traffic light
The amber signal at a traffic light indicating the light is about to turn red.
黄色信号で止まるべきだ。
You should stop at a yellow light.
黄色信号を無視して交差点に進入するのは危険だ。
Ignoring the yellow light and entering the intersection is dangerous.
赤信号に変わる直前に黄色信号を見て慌ててブレーキを踏んだ。
I saw the yellow light just before it turned red and hit the brakes in a panic.
2.
warning sign; caution signal
A figurative warning that something is heading in a dangerous or problematic direction.
子供の成績が下がってきたのは黄色信号だと思う。
I think the drop in the child's grades is a warning sign.
経済に黄色信号がともっている。
A warning signal is flashing for the economy.
最近体調がすぐれないのは健康に黄色信号がともっている証拠かもしれない。
The fact that I haven't been feeling well recently may be proof that a warning sign is flashing for my health.
Literally "yellow signal." The figurative sense (warning sign) is very commonly used in news and everyday conversation, often with the verb ともる (to light up) or 点滅する (to flash).
The expression 黄色信号がともる conveys a sense of impending danger or the need for caution — stronger than a mere hint but not yet a full crisis (赤信号).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 黄色信号がともる: a yellow light comes on (figurative warning)
- 黄色信号が点滅する: a yellow light flashes
- 黄色信号で止まる: to stop at a yellow light
- 黄色信号を無視する: to ignore a yellow light
RELATED TERMS:
- 赤信号: red light (literal and figurative: danger)
- 青信号: green light (literal and figurative: go-ahead)
- 信号機: traffic light