签到 (qiān dào) — to sign in, to register (one's arrival)

Definition

A verb-object phrase meaning to 'sign in' on arrival, typically at work or events. Common in routine workplace contexts, often used with 上班 or 打卡.

verb

to sign into register (one's arrival)

签到。
Qǐng zài zhè lǐ qiān dào.
Please sign in here.
。
Wǒ yǐ jīng qiān le dào.
I have already signed in.
。
Měi tiān shàng bān dōu yào qiān gè dào.
Every day at work you have to sign in.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

签 is signing and 到 records arrival, giving check-in.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 籤; 签 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 签 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (签, 签订) it is 簽; in others it is 籤.

竹韱籤

Meaning part形符xíngfú

竹竹zhúbamboo

Sound part声符shēngfú

韱

韱xiān籤⁰qiān(r)

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 籤 shows 竹, bamboo, for the material, plus 韱 to give the sound; the simplified 签 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

至至zhìto arrive

Sound part声符shēngfú

刀

Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Appears in