distress signal
distress signal — 名詞
1. a formal communication — such as a radio message, a flare, or a flag display — s
遇險信號
船舶或飛機遇險時發出的求救訊息
a formal communication — such as a radio message, a flare, or a flag display — sent by a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle that faces immediate life-threatening danger and requires urgent rescue assistance.
The fishing boat sent a distress signal on the emergency channel as it began to sink off Taiwan.
漁船在台灣外海開始下沉時，透過緊急頻道發出了遇險信號。
collocation: send a distress signal
Air traffic control in Singapore received a distress signal from a cargo plane whose cabin had lost pressure.
新加坡的航管中心收到一架貨機的遇險信號，該機機艙已經失壓。
collocation: receive a distress signal
Without working radios, the sailors used a mirror to flash a distress signal at a passing helicopter.
船員沒有可用的無線電，便用鏡子朝經過的直升機閃出遇險信號。
Rodrigo heard a distress signal crackle over his radio while on night watch at the coast guard station.
Rodrigo 在海巡站值夜班時，從無線電中聽到一陣遇險信號的劈啪聲。
- distress call
refers more narrowly to a spoken or transmitted verbal message rather than any type of sign or display
- mayday
the international spoken distress code word, used specifically in voice radio communications by aircraft and ships
- SOS
the Morse-code signal (···---···) historically used in telegraphy; now a general term for urgent pleas for help
文法句型
distress signal + verb (send/receive/broadcast)
用法筆記
This sense refers specifically to technical emergency communications from ships, aircraft, or other vehicles. For the broader behavioural or emotional meaning — where a person's actions, words, or changes in behaviour signal that they need help — see sense 2 (CRY FOR HELP).
2. any spoken statement, written message, gesture, or change in behaviour through w
求救訊號
表示身處危險的任何訊息、舉動或行為
any spoken statement, written message, gesture, or change in behaviour through which a person makes it known that they are in a dangerous or deeply difficult situation and want assistance.
Leila's sudden silence with her friends was a quiet distress signal that something was wrong.
Leila 突然不跟朋友說話，這是一個安靜的求救訊號，表示出了問題。
metaphorical use: behaviour as a distress signal
Tara's normally cheerful posts on social media stopped entirely, which her close friends read as a distress signal.
Tara 本來開朗的社群媒體貼文突然完全停了，她的好友們認為這是求救訊號。
behavioural change as a distress signal
Repeatedly missing deadlines can be a distress signal that an employee feels overwhelmed at work.
一再錯過截止日期，可能是員工在工作上不堪負荷的求救訊號。
Aiko's tearful note to her teacher was a distress signal that something was wrong at home.
Aiko 寫給老師那張淚跡斑斑的紙條，是家裡出了事的求救訊號。
- cry for help
less formal and usually implies an emotional or psychological plea rather than a practical one
- plea for help
emphasises a verbal or written request rather than a subtle behavioural sign
文法句型
be a distress signal
act as a distress signal
interpret something as a distress signal
用法筆記
This sense describes human behaviour, emotional cues, or non-technical signs of trouble — it is not limited to vehicles or formal emergency systems. Distinguish from sense 1 (DANGER CALL), which refers specifically to technical communications from ships, aircraft, or vehicles.