あかはた
noun
red flag
1. red flag; danger flag
A red flag used as a signal, especially to warn of danger or to stop traffic, races, or swimming. Also a long-standing symbol of socialist and communist movements.
赤旗(あかはた)()られた。
A red flag was waved.
踏切(ふみき)りで係員(かかりいん)赤旗(あかはた)()した。
An attendant raised a red flag at the railroad crossing.
高波(たかなみ)のため、海水浴場(かいすいよくじょう)には赤旗(あかはた)()てられた。
Because of the high waves, a red flag was raised at the beach.

A red flag signals danger or a command to stop. Contrast with the white or green flag that signals safety.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 赤旗(あかはた)()る: to wave a red flag
  • 赤旗(あかはた)()つ: a red flag is raised

NOTE:
When read せっき, the same characters name the Japanese Communist Party's newspaper. The everyday reading for a physical warning flag is あかはた.