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绿灯 (lǜ dēng) — green light (traffic signal); (figurative) green light, permission to proceed

Definition

Literally 'green light' — the traffic signal telling drivers and pedestrians they may go. Figuratively, it means official permission or approval to proceed with something (like giving a project the 绿灯).

noun
green light (traffic signal)(figurative) green lightpermission to proceed
Measure word · 盏

Examples

  • 绿灯，。
    Kàn dào lǜ dēng liàng le, tā cái kāi chē guò qù.
    He didn't drive off until he saw the green light.
  • 绿灯。
    Gōng sī yǐ jīng gěi le wǒ men xiàng mù lǜ dēng.
    The company has already given us the green light for the project.
  • 绿灯。
    Děng lǜ dēng liàng le zài guò mǎ lù.
    Wait for the green light before crossing the street.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

绿lǜgreen
灯dēnglamp

“绿” means green, and “灯” means lamp or light; together they mean green light.

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 綠; 绿 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
糸糸mì
Sound part声符shēngfú
彔
彔lù綠lù
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 綠 uses 糸 to show silk and 彔 for sound; the simplified 绿 is a later abbreviation, so its parts are not the original pieces.

Open 绿 →

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
火火huǒ
Sound part声符shēngfú
丁
丁dīng灯dēng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

灯 pairs 火, which shows fire, with 丁, which gives the sound.

Open 灯 →
Appears in
Roads & Traffic

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