hónglǜdēng: 红绿灯 - Traffic Light, Traffic Signal

• Keywords: hongludeng, 红绿灯, traffic light in Chinese, traffic signal in Chinese, Chinese road signs, crossing the street in China, 等红绿灯, 闯红灯, traffic rules in China.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word for “traffic light,” 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng). This guide breaks down its literal meaning (“red-green-light”), explains its crucial role in daily life and giving directions in China, and explores the cultural phenomenon of “Chinese-style street crossing.” With practical example sentences, you'll understand not just the word, but how to navigate traffic and conversations in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): hóng lǜ dēng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A signaling device using red, yellow, and green lights to control the flow of traffic at intersections and crosswalks.
• In a Nutshell: 红绿灯 (hónglǜdēng) is one of the most straightforward and logical words in Chinese. It literally translates to “Red-Green-Light.” It's a fundamental vocabulary word for anyone navigating a Chinese city, whether as a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian. It refers to the entire traffic signal unit.

• 红 (hóng): Meaning “red.” In a traffic context, this universally means “stop” or “danger.” In broader Chinese culture, red is a very auspicious color, symbolizing luck, joy, and celebration.
• 绿 (lǜ): Meaning “green.” This character signifies “go” and safety on the road. It's also associated with nature, life, and vitality.
• 灯 (dēng): Meaning “light” or “lamp.” This character clarifies that we are talking about an illuminated device, not just the colors themselves.

The characters combine in a perfectly literal way: 红 (red) + 绿 (green) + 灯 (light) = 红绿灯 (traffic light). Note that the yellow light (黄灯, huángdēng) is understood to be part of the unit, even though it's not in the name.

While a traffic light is a universal concept, its interaction with daily life in China has a unique flavor. The foundational rule, taught to every child, is the rhyme: “红灯停，绿灯行，黄灯亮了等一等” (hóng dēng tíng, lǜ dēng xíng, huáng dēng liàng le děng yi děng), which means “Red light stop, green light go, when the yellow light is on, wait a moment.” However, learners will quickly encounter the real-world phenomenon of “中国式过马路” (Zhōngguóshì guò mǎlù), or “Chinese-style street crossing.” This refers to the tendency for a group of pedestrians to cross the street against a red light, operating on the principle of safety in numbers—the idea being that drivers will be forced to stop for a large enough crowd. This contrasts with the generally stricter, individual-based adherence to traffic signals in many Western countries. While this practice is becoming less common in major cities due to increased traffic enforcement and public safety campaigns, observing it provides a fascinating window into the dynamics of collective versus individual behavior in public spaces. The 红绿灯 thus becomes not just a traffic tool, but a stage for observing social norms in action.

红绿灯 is a high-frequency word used in everyday, neutral contexts.

• Giving and Asking for Directions: It is a primary landmark for navigation. You'll constantly hear phrases like “at the next traffic light, turn right” (在下一个红绿灯右转).
• Describing Traffic Conditions: It's used when talking about your commute or travel. For example, “I'm waiting at a traffic light” (我在等红绿灯) or complaining about hitting every red light.
• As a Colocated Verb Phrase: While it's a noun, it's almost always used with verbs like 等 (děng - to wait for), 过 (guò - to pass/cross), or 闯 (chuǎng - to run/burst through).

The term is informal enough for daily conversation but also the standard, formal term. There is no other common word for a traffic light.

• Example 1:
  • 记住，红绿灯变绿了才能走。
  • Pinyin: Jìzhù, hónglǜdēng biàn lǜ le cái néng zǒu.
  • English: Remember, you can only go after the traffic light turns green.
  • Analysis: A basic instruction, often said to children or new drivers. It reinforces the core rule.
• Example 2:
  • 我每天上班都要经过十几个红绿灯。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān shàngbān dōu yào jīngguò shí jǐ ge hónglǜdēng.
  • English: I have to pass more than ten traffic lights on my way to work every day.
  • Analysis: A common way to describe a commute. The measure word for 红绿灯 is 个 (ge).
• Example 3:
  • 在前面那个红绿灯往左拐。
  • Pinyin: Zài qiánmiàn nàge hónglǜdēng wǎng zuǒ guǎi.
  • English: Turn left at that traffic light up ahead.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using the traffic light as a landmark for giving directions.
• Example 4:
  • 别着急，我们还在等红绿灯。
  • Pinyin: Bié zhāojí, wǒmen hái zài děng hónglǜdēng.
  • English: Don't worry, we're still waiting for the traffic light.
  • Analysis: This uses the common collocation 等红绿灯 (děng hónglǜdēng), “to wait for the traffic light.”
• Example 5:
  • 他因为闯红绿灯被罚款了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi chuǎng hónglǜdēng bèi fákuǎn le.
  • English: He was fined for running a red light.
  • Analysis: This introduces the critical phrase 闯红绿灯 (chuǎng hónglǜdēng), a set phrase for running a red light. 闯 (chuǎng) means to rush or barge through.
• Example 6:
  • 这个路口的红绿灯好像坏了，一直闪黄灯。
  • Pinyin: Zhège lùkǒu de hónglǜdēng hǎoxiàng huài le, yīzhí shǎn huángdēng.
  • English: The traffic light at this intersection seems to be broken; it's just flashing yellow.
  • Analysis: Shows how to describe a malfunctioning traffic light and mentions the yellow light (黄灯, huángdēng).
• Example 7:
  • 这儿的红绿灯时间太长了，要等两分钟！
  • Pinyin: Zhèr de hónglǜdēng shíjiān tài cháng le, yào děng liǎng fēnzhōng!
  • English: The traffic light here takes too long, you have to wait for two minutes!
  • Analysis: A common complaint in traffic, talking about the “time” or duration of the light.
• Example 8:
  • 司机看到红绿灯，立刻减速了。
  • Pinyin: Sījī kàndào hónglǜdēng, lìkè jiǎnsù le.
  • English: The driver saw the traffic light and immediately slowed down.
  • Analysis: A simple narrative sentence describing a driver's correct response.
• Example 9:
  • 行人也要遵守红绿灯的规则。
  • Pinyin: Xíngrén yě yào zūnshǒu hónglǜdēng de guīzé.
  • English: Pedestrians also need to obey the traffic light rules.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes that the rules apply to everyone, not just cars.
• Example 10:
  • 为了安全，过马路时一定要看红绿灯。
  • Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, guò mǎlù shí yīdìng yào kàn hónglǜdēng.
  • English: For safety, you must look at the traffic light when crossing the road.
  • Analysis: Connects the concept directly to personal safety (安全, ānquán).

• It's the Whole Unit: Remember that 红绿灯 refers to the entire traffic signal apparatus, not just the red and green bulbs. It implicitly includes the yellow light (黄灯, huángdēng). You don't need to say “红黄绿灯”.
• Noun, not a Concept: 红绿灯 is a concrete noun. It cannot be used to describe the general state of traffic.
  • Incorrect: 今天交通很红绿灯。 (Jīntiān jiāotōng hěn hónglǜdēng.)
  • Reason: This is like saying “The traffic today is very traffic light.” It makes no sense.
  • Correct: 今天很堵车。 (Jīntiān hěn dǔchē.) - “There's a bad traffic jam today.”
• Don't Forget the Verb: You don't “do” a traffic light. You “wait for” it (等), “pass” it (过), or “run” it (闯). The verb is essential.
  • Incorrect: 我红绿灯。 (Wǒ hónglǜdēng.)
  • Correct: 我在等红绿灯。 (Wǒ zài děng hónglǜdēng.) - “I'm waiting for the traffic light.”

• 闯红灯 (chuǎng hóngdēng) - A set verb phrase meaning “to run a red light.” The most important action-related term.
• 十字路口 (shízì lùkǒu) - Crossroads, intersection. Literally “cross-shaped road mouth.” This is the most common place to find a 红绿灯.
• 斑马线 (bānmǎxiàn) - Zebra crossing / crosswalk. Literally “zebra-stripe line.” Where pedestrians cross, often controlled by a 红绿灯.
• 交通 (jiāotōng) - Traffic, transportation. The broader category that 红绿灯 belongs to.
• 堵车 (dǔchē) - Traffic jam. A common situation often caused by or occurring at a 红绿灯.
• 红灯停，绿灯行 (hóng dēng tíng, lǜ dēng xíng) - The classic phrase: “Red light stop, green light go.”
• 黄灯 (huángdēng) - Yellow light / amber light. The third, unmentioned color in the name 红绿灯.
• 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn) - To turn left. An action often dictated by a specific signal on a 红绿灯.
• 右转 (yòu zhuǎn) - To turn right.
• 直行 (zhí xíng) - To go straight.