签 (qiān) - To sign & autograph

签Tone 1

qiān ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

器情

签 · qiān

To sign;

autograph;

a label or tag;

a bamboo slip used for divination or drawing lots;

a small pointed object.

To signautographa label or tag

Usage highlights

Sign a nameSign on a documentAutograph bookLottery ticketFortune stickBookmark

Synonyms

  • 署— to sign; to put one's signature to
  • 题— to inscribe; to write

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please sign your name here (请在这里签名).
  • This is my autograph (这是我的签名).
  • The contract requires your signature (合同需要你的签字).
  • He drew a fortune stick at the temple (他在庙里抽了一支签).

Collocations

  • Sign a name(签名)
  • Sign on a document(签字)
  • Autograph book(签名簿)
  • Lottery ticket(彩票签)
  • Fortune stick(签文)
  • Bookmark(书签)

Idioms

  • To sign and pledge(签军令状)
  • Draw lots to decide(抽签决定)
  • Predict fortune by drawing lots(求签问卜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to bamboo slips used for writing in ancient China, later extended to various types of tags and labels.
  • In religious contexts, '签' refers to fortune sticks used in temples for divination and seeking guidance.
  • The character embodies concepts of commitment (through signing) and fate (through divination).

FAQ