签 meaning and stroke order
To sign one's name; to write brief comments on a document; inscribed bamboo stick (variant of 籤|签[qian1])
How to write 签, stroke by stroke
13 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 签
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to sign one's name
- to write brief comments on a document
- inscribed bamboo stick (variant of 籤|签[qian1])
- visa
- inscribed bamboo stick (used in divination, gambling, drawing lots etc)
- small wood sliver
How 签 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Bamboo.
⺮ gives the meaning and 佥 hints at the sound.
Radical: ⺮ (bamboo), shared by 149 characters on this site.
How to remember 签
签 has the bamboo top ⺮, because long ago people wrote on bamboo sticks and slips. Underneath is 佥 (qiān), which gives the sound, so picture a bamboo slip you write your name on to sign it.
签 is mostly used in words about signing and about small slips or sticks: 签名 (qiānmíng) to sign, 签证 (qiānzhèng) visa, 标签 (biāoqiān) label. For example: 请在这里签名。(Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānmíng.) Please sign here.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 签 with 鉴 (jiàn) or 检 (jiǎn), which share a similar 佥 shaped part. Remember that only 签 has the bamboo ⺮ on top.
Common words with 签
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 签名 | qiānmíng | to sign (one's name with a pen etc); to autograph | HSK 5 |
| 签字 | qiānzì | to sign (one's name); signature | HSK 5 |
| 签约 | qiānyuē | to sign a contract or agreement | HSK 5 |
| 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa; to issue a visa | HSK 5 |
| 签订 | qiāndìng | to agree to and sign (a treaty etc) | HSK 5 |
| 签署 | qiānshǔ | to sign (an agreement) | HSK 7-9 |
| 标签 | biāoqiān | label; tag | HSK 7-9 |
| 抽签 | chōuqiān | to perform divination with sticks; to draw lots | HSK 7-9 |
| 签收 | qiānshōu | to sign to acknowledge receipt of sth (e.g. a delivery or document) | |
| 牙签 | yáqiān | toothpick | |
| 签到 | qiāndào | to register; to sign in | |
| 签发 | qiānfā | to issue (a document); to sign and issue officially |
签 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 签
How many strokes are in 签?
签 is written with 13 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 签 mean?
签 (qiān) means to sign one's name; to write brief comments on a document; inscribed bamboo stick (variant of 籤|签[qian1]). A common word with it is 签名 (qiānmíng), meaning "to sign (one's name with a pen etc); to autograph".
How do you pronounce 签?
签 is pronounced qiān, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 签?
The radical of 签 is ⺮, which carries the idea of "bamboo". Dictionaries list 签 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 签?
The traditional form of 签 is 簽 and 籤. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 签 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 签 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 签 is part of the HSK 5 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 签名 and 签字?
Both mean to sign your name and are often interchangeable. 签字 is common for official documents, while 签名 is also used for autographs, like asking a celebrity for a signature.
How do you say to apply for a visa in Chinese?
You say 办签证 (bàn qiānzhèng) or 申请签证 (shēnqǐng qiānzhèng). For example: 我要去办签证。(Wǒ yào qù bàn qiānzhèng.) I am going to get a visa.