1. to make a gesture or sound to give information or instructions
做手勢或發出聲音以傳達資訊或指示
The police officer signaled for us to stop.
警察示意我們停下。
He signaled to the waiter for the bill.
他向服務生示意要結帳。
Signal Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
signal
verb
快速理解
What does "Signal" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Signal"?
「signal」作為動詞，主要指透過手勢、聲音或動作來傳達訊息或指示。
- 1
發出信號
EN: to make a gesture, sound, or action to give information or an instruction
翻譯: 透過手勢、聲音或動作來傳達訊息或指示。
- 2
示意
EN: to indicate or show something, often as a sign
翻譯: 表示或顯示某事，通常作為一種跡象。
- 3
標誌著
EN: to mark or be a sign of an event, change, or beginning
翻譯: 標誌著某個事件、變化或開始。
- 4
打信號通知
EN: to communicate or direct someone by using a signal
翻譯: 透過信號來溝通或指示某人。
小提醒：注意「signal」作動詞時，常與「to」連用，表示向某人示意（signal to someone），或與「that」子句連用，表示示意某事（signal that...）。
發音（How to Pronounce "Signal" in English）
How to pronounce "Signal" in English?"Signal" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Signal" from YouTube Videos
UK tells Israel not to retaliate as France set to recognise Palestinian state | BBC News
BBC News
“This is very much a joint effort, Western countries coming together to try to maximize the impact, to send a signal to Israel and its allies that they believe international opinion on this is only heading in one direction >>.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Signal"?How does "Signal" change by context?
2. to show that something exists or is likely to happen
表明某事物存在或可能發生
The dark clouds signaled an approaching storm.
烏雲預示著暴風雨即將來臨。
A drop in sales may signal a problem with the product.
銷售額下降可能意味著產品有問題。
3. to communicate information or a message using signs, lights, or electronic means
使用標誌、燈光或電子方式傳達資訊或訊息
The ship signaled its position to the coast guard.
那艘船向海岸警衛隊發送了它的位置信號。
The traffic light signaled green, so we drove on.
交通號誌燈顯示綠燈，所以我們繼續行駛。
4. to be a sign of a particular quality, intention, or future event
作為某種特質、意圖或未來事件的標誌
The ceasefire signaled a new phase in the peace talks.
停火標誌著和平談判進入了一個新階段。
Her promotion signaled the company's confidence in her leadership.
她的晉升表明了公司對她領導能力的信心。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Signal"?How to make natural sentences with "Signal"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| signal + (that) + clause | 示意、表示（某事） | The guard signaled that it was safe to proceed. (警衛示意可以安全前進。) |
| signal + to + person + to-infinitive | 向（某人）示意去做（某事） | She signaled to the driver to stop. (她向司機示意停車。) |
| signal + noun | 發出（某種）信號 | The ship signaled a distress call. (那艘船發出了求救信號。) |
| signal + for + noun | 示意要求（某物） | He signaled for the check. (他示意要結帳。) |
| signal + (to + person) + with + noun | 用（某物）向（某人）示意 | The referee signaled with a whistle. (裁判用哨子示意。) |
用法說明
How is "Signal" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Signal"?
signal doing vs signal to do
- signal doing 通常表示「示意（某個動作）正在發生」或「示意（某個動作）是常態或事實」，強調動作本身。
- signal to do 則更常表示「示意（某人）去做某事」，強調意圖、目的或即將開始的動作。
- 在表示「示意某人做某事」時，signal someone to do something 是最明確、最常見的結構。
- 當主詞是事物而非人時，signal to do 可用來表示「預示或標誌著要做某事」。 EN: The guard raised his hand to signal the convoy stopping. 翻譯: 守衛舉起手示意車隊停下。
EN:The guard raised his hand to signal the convoy to stop.
翻譯:守衛舉起手示意車隊停下來。
EN:His frown signaled his strong disapproval of the plan.
翻譯:他的皺眉示意他強烈反對這個計劃。
EN:The economic data signals to prepare for a period of adjustment.
翻譯:這份經濟數據預示著要為一段調整期做準備。
總結建議
在表示「示意某人做某事」時，使用 signal someone to do something 的結構最為清晰準確。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Signal" and similar words?How to choose "Signal" vs alternatives?
signal vs indicate
「signal」通常指透過明確的符號、動作或聲音來傳遞訊息，帶有主動傳達的意圖；「indicate」則較為中性，泛指任何顯示、指出或暗示的行為，不一定有主動傳達的意圖。
signal vs gesture
「signal」作為動詞，涵蓋各種傳遞訊息的方式（包括手勢、電子信號等）；「gesture」特指用手、頭或身體的動作來表達。
signal vs communicate
「signal」通常指傳遞一個簡單、特定的訊息或指令；「communicate」則涵蓋更廣泛、複雜的資訊交換，可能涉及對話或深入理解。
口語用法
How is "Signal" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Signal"?
引述
在對話中，常用來引述或轉述某人給出的信號或暗示。 EN: He was signaling to me that he wanted to leave. 翻譯: 他當時在向我示意他想離開了。
EN:Did you catch how she signaled her agreement?
翻譯:你有注意到她是怎麼表示同意的嗎？
語氣強調
用於強調信號的明確性或意圖性，常與副詞連用。 EN: He clearly signaled his intentions before making the move. 翻譯: 他在採取行動前，已經清楚地表明了他的意圖。
EN:She deliberately signaled a warning with her eyes.
翻譯:她刻意用眼神發出了警告。
停頓填充
在描述過程或解釋時，作為填充詞，引出接下來的動作或反應。 EN: So, he signals to the waiter, and then points to the menu. 翻譯: 於是，他向服務生示意，然後指了指菜單。
EN:Okay, first you signal that you're listening, then you respond.
翻譯:好的，首先你要表示你在聽，然後再回應。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免使用過於口語化的引述或填充句型（如 "So, he signals..."），建議使用更精確、結構完整的句子來描述動作或過程。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Signal"?What fixed phrases with "Signal" should I remember?
signal for help
signal for [noun]
發出求救信號
signal to turn
signal to [verb]
打方向燈示意轉彎
signal one's intent
signal [possessive] [noun]
表明某人的意圖
signal agreement
signal [noun]
表示同意
signal a change
signal a [noun]
預示/標誌著變化
signal danger
signal [noun]
示警
signal the start of something
signal the [noun] of [noun/gerund]
標誌著...的開始
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Signal"?Which "Signal" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He signaled me to go.
✓He signaled for me to go.
當表示「示意某人做某事」時，動詞 "signal" 通常搭配介系詞 "for" 或 "to"，而不是直接接受詞。"Signal someone to do something" 是常見的中式英文直譯錯誤。
×This event signals the start of a new era.
✓This event signals the start of a new era.
此處錯誤在於時態混淆。"Signal" 作為動詞表示「標誌著、預示著」時，描述一個普遍事實或當前狀態，應使用現在簡單式，而非過去式。學習者常誤用過去式來描述具有持續影響的標誌性事件。
×He signaled his agreement by nodded.
✓He signaled his agreement by nodding.
介系詞 "by" 後面應接動名詞 (V-ing) 形式，表示「透過...方式」。學習者常誤接動詞原形或過去式。
×Can you signal him the message?
✓Can you signal the message to him?
動詞 "signal" 的典型結構是 "signal something to someone"，而非雙賓語結構 (signal someone something)。這是與 "tell", "give" 等動詞的常見混淆。
×The data is signaling that the market is improving.
✓The data signals that the market is improving.
動詞 "signal" 通常不用進行式。它描述一個狀態或事實性的指示，而非一個正在進行的動作。使用現在簡單式即可。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Signal"?What are tense/participle forms of "Signal"?
signals(3rd_singular)signalling(present_participle)signalled(past)signalled(past_participle)