sign
sign — 名詞
1. a board, panel, or piece of material placed in a public place that carries writt
標誌；告示牌
傳遞資訊或警告的牌示
a board, panel, or piece of material placed in a public place that carries written words, pictures, or symbols to give people information, directions, or warnings.
Chidi read the road sign carefully before turning left at the junction.
Chidi 在路口仔細看了路標，才向左轉。
collocation: road sign
A metal sign on the door said 'Staff Only — Please Do Not Enter.'
門上的金屬告示牌寫著「僅限員工，請勿進入」。
The sign at the park entrance listed the opening hours and safety rules.
公園入口的告示牌列出了開放時間和安全規定。
Ritu noticed a warning sign near the construction site.
Ritu 注意到建築工地附近有一個警告標誌。
All public buildings must have exit signs that are clearly visible.
所有公共建築都必須有清晰可見的出口標誌。
文法句型
a/the sign + noun (signpost, signboard)
用法筆記
Often combined with a noun that describes the type of information (road sign, warning sign, exit sign, no-smoking sign).
常見錯誤
2. a movement of a part of the body, especially the hand or head, that communicates
手勢；信號
用手或身體動作傳達訊息
a movement of a part of the body, especially the hand or head, that communicates a feeling, instruction, or message without using words.
Quinn gave a thumbs-up sign to show that everything was going well.
Quinn 豎起大拇指，示意一切順利。
collocation: thumbs-up sign
The librarian put a finger to her lips as a quiet sign to the noisy students.
圖書館員將手指貼在嘴唇上，示意吵鬧的學生安靜。
Xiu nodded as a sign of agreement when her colleague proposed a new project deadline.
Xiu 點頭表示同意同事提出的新專案截止日期。
When the referee raised his hand, it was the sign for the game to begin.
裁判舉起手，那是比賽開始的信號。
Adaeze waved her hand as a sign for the taxi driver to pull over.
Adaeze 揮手示意計程車司機靠邊停。
文法句型
a sign of [emotion/intention]
verb + a sign (give/make a sign)
常見錯誤
3. a full communication system based on hand shapes, facial expressions, and body m
手語
聾人社群使用的視覺語言系統
a full communication system based on hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements, used instead of spoken words mainly among Deaf people and those who interact with them.
Jiwoo has been learning British Sign Language for two years to communicate with her Deaf colleague.
Jiwoo 學了兩年英國手語，以便與聾人同事溝通。
collocation: sign language
The school offers classes in sign for hearing parents of Deaf children.
該學校為聽障孩子的聽人父母開設了手語課程。
sign (uncountable, meaning sign language)
A growing number of universities now accept sign as a foreign language credit.
越來越多的大學接受手語作為外語學分。
The weather forecast on the news was presented in sign for Deaf viewers.
新聞中的天氣預報以手語呈現，方便聾人觀眾收看。
文法句型
in sign
sign language (as a noun modifier)
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Use 'sign' alone (e.g. 'in sign', 'teaches sign') or 'sign language' (capitalised when referring to a specific system such as ASL or BSL).
常見錯誤
4. a single hand shape or movement that forms a meaningful unit within a sign langu
手語手勢
手語中具特定意義的單一動作
a single hand shape or movement that forms a meaningful unit within a sign language, standing for a specific word, letter, or idea.
The sign for 'thank you' in British Sign Language involves touching your chin with your fingertips.
英國手語中「謝謝」的手勢是用指尖碰觸下巴。
sign + for + [word]
Gabriel practiced the alphabet signs until he could fingerspell his own name smoothly.
Gabriel 反覆練習字母手勢，直到能流暢地用指語拼出自己的名字。
Vikram learned the sign for 'mother' by touching his thumb to his chin in ASL class.
Vikram 在美國手語課上學會了用拇指碰下巴來比出「母親」的手勢。
Romi learned the sign for 'water' by tapping her index finger against her chin.
Romi 學會了用手比出「水」的手勢——將食指輕點下巴。
- hand sign
more transparent term for non-specialist contexts
- gesture
broader — can mean any meaningful movement, not necessarily in a sign language system
- fingerspelling
specifically spelling words letter by letter using hand shapes
文法句型
a sign for [word/concept]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (SIGN LANGUAGE — the language system as a whole). This sense refers to an individual gesture-unit within that system. The pattern 'the sign for [word]' is the most common frame.
5. an event, fact, or physical change that suggests that something is present, happ
跡象；徵兆
顯示某事物存在或可能發生的現象
an event, fact, or physical change that suggests that something is present, happening, or will happen — for example, dark clouds as a sign of coming rain, or a fever as a sign of illness.
Dark clouds are often a sign that a storm is on its way.
烏雲常常是暴風雨即將來臨的徵兆。
sign + that + clause
Lien showed no sign of nervousness before her piano performance.
Lien 在鋼琴表演前完全沒有露出一絲緊張的跡象。
show no sign of [noun]
The patient's cough is a sign that the medicine is not working properly.
病人的咳嗽是藥物效果不佳的跡象。
Repeated absences from work can be an early sign of burnout.
頻繁請假曠職可能是職業倦怠的早期跡象。
The garden showed clear signs of neglect long grass and dry flower beds everywhere.
花園裡到處是雜草和乾枯的花床，顯然長時間無人照料。
- indication
slightly more formal; often used in academic or clinical contexts
- symptom
specifically a physical or mental sign of an illness or condition
- evidence
facts that prove something is true; stronger level of certainty than a sign
- clue
a piece of information that helps solve a problem or mystery
文法句型
a sign of [noun]
a sign that + clause
show signs of [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the patterns 'a sign of something' and 'a sign that something is happening'. Also common in the negative phrase 'no sign of' meaning something is absent or not visible.
常見錯誤
6. a standardised mark, shape, or drawing on a page or screen that has a fixed conv
符號；記號
具有標準意義的書寫或印刷標記
a standardised mark, shape, or drawing on a page or screen that has a fixed conventional meaning, such as a plus sign (+) for addition or a pound sign (#) for number.
The dollar sign ($) is used before amounts of money in the United States and several other countries.
美元符號（$）在美國及其他幾個國家的金額數字前使用。
collocation: dollar sign
In mathematics, the percent sign (%) means 'out of one hundred.'
在數學中，百分號（%）的意思是「每一百中的多少」。
collocation: percent sign
Greta could not find the at sign (@) on the old keyboard.
Greta 在那個舊鍵盤上找不到 at 符號（@）。
The star sign (*) is used in texts to mark a footnote or an important note.
星號（*）在文章中用來標示註腳或重要說明。
Shirin drew an equals sign (=) in the middle of the whiteboard to balance the equation.
Shirin 在白板中間畫了一個等號（=）來平衡方程式。
文法句型
the sign for [concept]
[name of symbol] sign
常見錯誤
7. any of the twelve equal parts of the zodiac in astrology, each linked to a parti
星座
占星學中黃道十二宮的任一個
any of the twelve equal parts of the zodiac in astrology, each linked to a particular group of stars and believed by some to affect a person's character and fate based on their birth date.
Constanza read her horoscope to see what the stars predicted for her sign that month.
Constanza 看了看自己的星座運勢，想知道當月星象怎麼說。
collocation: star sign / zodiac sign
Iker laughed when his sister said his Virgo sign explained why he was so organized.
Iker 聽到姊姊說他的處女座性格解釋了他為何如此有條理，不禁笑了出來。
Lakshmi laughed when the website said her sign was compatible with Taurus.
Lakshmi 看到網站說她的星座和金牛座很合，笑了出來。
Jason asked what sign she was, and she said she was a Gemini.
Jason 問她是什麼星座，她說她是雙子座。
- star sign
everyday term, more common in informal British English
- zodiac sign
slightly more formal or technical term
- house
a division of the zodiac in astrology, but not interchangeable in everyday use
文法句型
[adjective] sign
the sign of [zodiac name]
your sign
用法筆記
Commonly used in informal conversation ('What's your sign?') and in the pattern 'be a [zodiac name]' ('She is a Leo'). Also called a 'star sign'.
常見錯誤
sign — 動詞
1. to put your signature on a document, letter, cheque, or contract, usually by han
簽名；簽署
在文件上寫下姓名以示同意
to put your signature on a document, letter, cheque, or contract, usually by hand, to confirm that you accept its terms or that you are its creator.
Jin signed his name at the bottom of the rental agreement before handing it back.
Jin 在租賃協議底部簽上姓名，然後交還給對方。
transitive: sign + a document
Christopher signed the lease for his first apartment after checking every clause with a lawyer.
Christopher 與律師逐條確認過條款後，簽下了第一間公寓的租約。
The author spent an hour signing copies of her new novel for excited readers.
作者花了一個小時為興奮的讀者簽書。
Rafael signed the cheque and handed it across the counter.
Rafael 在支票上簽了名，然後遞過櫃檯。
Minh and her landlord both signed the rental application form at the housing office.
Minh 和房東在租屋處一起簽署了租房申請表。
- autograph
specifically signing something as a celebrity or famous person for a fan
- countersign
to sign a document that someone else has already signed, to confirm it
- endorse
to sign the back of a cheque to receive payment, or to publicly support something
文法句型
sign + noun (document, cheque, contract)
sign + for + delivery
sign + adverb (sign here)
用法筆記
Often used transitively with a document as the object (sign a contract, sign a cheque, sign a form). The intransitive use usually includes a location adverb (sign here, sign at the bottom).
常見錯誤
2. in sports, to enter into a formal written agreement that makes a player a member
簽約聘用
與運動員簽訂正式合約
in sports, to enter into a formal written agreement that makes a player a member of a team, usually in exchange for a fee or salary.
The basketball team signed a young player from the national college league.
該籃球隊從全國大學聯賽簽下了一名年輕球員。
sign + player + from + [source]
Real Madrid signed Rafael for a reported transfer fee of sixty million euros.
皇家馬德里以據報六千萬歐元的轉會費簽下了 Rafael。
The club hopes to sign two experienced defenders before the winter window closes.
俱樂部希望在冬季轉會窗口關閉前簽下兩名經驗豐富的後衛。
After months of talks between the teams, the striker was finally signed by a Premier League side.
經過數月的球隊間協商，這名前鋒最終被一支英超球隊簽下。
Dahlia was scouted at sixteen and signed by the national youth academy.
Dahlia 在十六歲時就被發掘，並與國家青年學院簽約。
文法句型
sign + player
sign + player + from + team
sign + player + for + amount
用法筆記
Frequently used in sports journalism and commentary. The passive construction ('was signed by [team]') is very common. The subject can be a team, club, or manager; the object is the player.
常見錯誤
3. to give information, an instruction, or a request to someone using a deliberate
打手勢
用手勢傳達命令或訊息
to give information, an instruction, or a request to someone using a deliberate movement of the hand, arm, or head instead of speaking.
The tour guide signed to the group to stay quiet as they entered the temple.
導遊向團員打手勢，示意他們在進入寺廟時保持安靜。
sign + to + person + to-infinitive
Sari signed for the taxi to wait while she ran back into the shop.
Sari 打手勢叫計程車等她，她跑回店裡拿東西。
sign + for + noun + to-infinitive
The librarian signed that the reading room would close in five minutes.
圖書館員比了一個手勢，表示閱覽室再五分鐘就要關了。
Élise signed across the busy restaurant, asking her friend to pass the salt.
Élise 在忙碌的餐廳裡隔空打手勢，請朋友遞鹽過來。
The police officer signed for the driver to pull over to the side of the road.
警察打手勢示意駕駛人靠路邊停車。
文法句型
sign + to/at + person
sign + for + person + to-infinitive
sign + that-clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (USE SIGN LANGUAGE). This sense refers to informal everyday gestures, not a full grammatical language system. The objects of 'sign to' are people; 'sign for' is followed by a thing or action.
常見錯誤
4. to express thoughts and ideas through a sign language — any of the complete visu
打手語
使用手語溝通
to express thoughts and ideas through a sign language — any of the complete visual communication systems with established grammar, used mainly among Deaf people.
Antonia learned to sign when her younger sister was born profoundly deaf.
Antonia 在妹妹出生時被診斷為全聾，於是開始學手語。
learn to sign
The conference provided interpreters who could sign for deaf attendees.
會議提供了手語翻譯員，為聽障與會者進行翻譯。
sign + for + person (as interpreter)
Babies can sometimes sign before they learn to speak, using simple gestures for basic needs.
嬰兒有時在學會說話之前就能用手語表達簡單的需求。
Tamás signed slowly so the beginner could follow the conversation more easily.
Tamás 慢慢地打手語，讓初學者能夠跟上對話。
The news anchor signed the daily headlines for viewers who are Deaf.
新聞主播用手語播報每日頭條，服務聾人觀眾。
- use sign language
more explicit, useful for learners unfamiliar with 'sign' as a verb
- fingerspell
specifically spelling words letter by letter using hand shapes, not full signing
- interpret
translating between a spoken language and a sign language, usually professionally
文法句型
sign + adverb (fluently, slowly)
sign + to + person
learn to sign
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (GESTURE — everyday hand movements). This sense requires knowledge of an actual sign language with grammar rules. 'Sign' as an intransitive verb in this sense is very common ('She signs fluently').