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| ====== qiānzì: 签字 - To Sign, Signature ====== | ====== qiānzì: 签字 - To Sign, Signature ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** qianzi, 签字, sign in Chinese, signature in Chinese, sign a document, sign a contract, Chinese signature, Chinese legal documents, qianming, 签名, HSK 4 | * **Keywords:** 签字, qianzi, Chinese for sign, signature in Chinese, how to sign in Chinese, sign a contract Chinese, 签合同, official signature, 签名, Chinese verb for sign. |
| * **Summary:** Learn how to use the essential Chinese word **签字 (qiānzì)**, which means "to sign" or "signature." This page covers everything a beginner needs to know, from signing a contract or package delivery to understanding its cultural context with traditional Chinese seals. Explore practical examples and learn the crucial difference between **签字 (qiānzì)** and **签名 (qiānmíng)** to use the term correctly in any situation. | * **Summary:** Learn how to use the essential Chinese verb **签字 (qiānzì)**, which means "to sign" or "to affix a signature." This page provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use `签字` in practical situations, from signing a contract (签合同) to accepting a package. Discover the cultural significance of a signature in China, how it compares to the traditional use of official seals (chops), and learn the crucial difference between `签字` and its close relative, `签名 (qiānmíng)`. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qiān zì | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** qiānzì |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb-Object Compound (functions as a verb, colloquially as a noun) | * **Part of Speech:** Verb (Verb-Object compound) |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To affix one's signature to a document. | * **Concise Definition:** To sign one's name; to affix a signature. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **签字 (qiānzì)** is the go-to word for the official act of signing your name. Think of any situation where you'd need to provide a legally or officially recognized signature: a contract, a bank form, or a delivery slip. It emphasizes the action and its formal consequence. | * **In a Nutshell:** `签字` is the direct and most common way to say "to sign" in Chinese. It refers to the physical act of writing your name on a document to show agreement, authorization, or receipt. Think of it as the action word you use when a pen meets paper for an official purpose. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **签 (qiān):** The top part is 竹 (zhú), meaning "bamboo." Historically, important information was written on bamboo slips. The character evolved to mean "to inscribe," "to label," or "to sign." | * **签 (qiān):** The top part, 竹 (zhú), means "bamboo." Historically, bamboo slips were used for writing and for making tallies or labels. This character evolved to mean "to sign," "to label," or "a sticker/slip." It represents the idea of marking something for identification or agreement. |
| * **字 (zì):** This character means "word" or "character." It's a pictograph of a child (子) under a roof (宀), symbolizing the "birth" or creation of written words. | * **字 (zì):** This character simply means "character," "word," or "letter." It's one of the most fundamental characters in Chinese. |
| * **Together, 签字 (qiānzì) literally means "to sign/inscribe characters,"** which perfectly captures the meaning of writing your name for an official purpose. | * **Combined Meaning:** Together, `签字 (qiānzì)` literally means "to sign a character/word." This logically combines to mean signing your name, which is made of characters, onto a document. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| The act of **签字 (qiānzì)** in China is just as serious and legally binding as in the West. However, it exists alongside a much older tradition: the use of personal seals or "chops" (印章, yìnzhāng). | In China, as in the West, a signature is a legally binding mark of personal agreement and responsibility. However, its role is uniquely complemented by the traditional practice of using a personal seal or "chop" (印章, yìnzhāng). |
| * **Signature vs. Seal:** In Western culture, a handwritten signature is the ultimate mark of personal authorization. In China, while personal signatures are ubiquitous for everyday transactions, the official red-ink stamp from a company seal (公章, gōngzhāng) or a personal seal (私章, sīzhāng) often holds superior legal weight, especially in business and government. For major contracts, it's common to see both a signature and a seal. This practice reflects a historical value placed on tangible, verifiable marks of identity that were harder to forge than handwriting. | * **Signature vs. The Chop (印章):** While a handwritten signature (`签字`) is used for countless everyday transactions like credit card slips and package deliveries, the red ink stamp from a chop is often considered more official and harder to forge. For major corporate, legal, and government documents, it is very common to require both a signature **and** an official chop (a practice called `签字盖章`, qiānzì gàizhāng). This dual system reflects a blend of modern international practice with a centuries-old tradition of authentication. For a Westerner doing business in China, understanding that a signature alone might not be sufficient is a crucial cultural insight. |
| * **A Personal Touch:** A person's signature is still a reflection of their identity. Good penmanship can be seen as a sign of a good education. While a messy signature is perfectly acceptable, a beautifully calligraphed one might leave a subtle, positive impression. | * **Personal Responsibility:** Signing your name is a serious act. It signifies that you have read, understood, and agreed to the terms laid out in a document. This concept of taking personal responsibility for one's mark is universal, but the added layer of the chop in formal contexts emphasizes the weight and finality of the commitment in Chinese culture. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| **签字 (qiānzì)** is used in a wide range of formal and transactional contexts. It's a word you'll encounter frequently in daily life. | `签字` is a high-frequency word used in formal and semi-formal contexts. |
| ==== Formal Contexts ==== | * **Legal and Business:** This is the most common context. You `签字` on contracts (合同), agreements (协议), bank forms, and official applications. It is the standard term for executing a legal document. |
| This is the most common use of **签字**. It implies a level of seriousness and agreement. | * **Everyday Life:** You `签字` when you receive a registered letter or a package (快递, kuàidì), sign a receipt at a hotel, or sign into a visitor's logbook. |
| * **Contracts:** 签合同 (qiān hétong) - to sign a contract | * **Formality:** The term is neutral to formal. It's not something you'd typically use in a very casual conversation with friends unless you were specifically talking about an official matter. |
| * **Legal Documents:** 在法律文件上签字 (zài fǎlǜ wénjiàn shàng qiānzì) - to sign on a legal document | |
| * **Bank Forms:** 在表格上签字 (zài biǎogé shàng qiānzì) - to sign on a form | |
| ==== Everyday Transactions ==== | |
| It's also used for less formal, but still official, daily tasks. | |
| * **Deliveries:** 签收 (qiānshōu) - to sign for receipt of a package | |
| * **Credit Card Slips:** 在收据上签字 (zài shōujù shàng qiānzì) - to sign the receipt | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhèlǐ **qiānzì**. | * Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhèlǐ **qiānzì**. |
| * English: Please sign here. | * English: Please sign here. |
| * Analysis: This is the most common and direct phrase you'll hear when asked to sign something, for example, by a bank teller or a delivery person. | * Analysis: This is perhaps the most common phrase you will hear involving `签字`. It's a polite and direct instruction often used by staff at banks, offices, or delivery services. |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 他需要在合同的每一页上都**签字**。 | * **签字**之前，请仔细阅读合同。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā xūyào zài hétong de měi yī yè shàng dōu **qiānzì**. | * Pinyin: **Qiānzì** zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì yuèdú hétong. |
| * English: He needs to sign on every page of the contract. | * English: Before signing, please read the contract carefully. |
| * Analysis: This sentence highlights the use of **签字** in a formal, legal context. The word 都 (dōu) emphasizes that //every// single page needs a signature. | * Analysis: This sentence highlights the serious nature of signing. `之前 (zhīqián)` means "before," making this a crucial piece of advice. |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 快递员等我**签字**以后才离开。 | * 快递员让我**签字**确认收货。 |
| * Pinyin: Kuàidìyuán děng wǒ **qiānzì** yǐhòu cái líkāi. | * Pinyin: Kuàidìyuán ràng wǒ **qiānzì** quèrèn shōuhuò. |
| * English: The delivery person only left after I signed for it. | * English: The delivery person had me sign to confirm receipt of the goods. |
| * Analysis: This shows **签字** as the required action to complete a transaction (receiving a package). | * Analysis: A perfect example from daily life. `确认 (quèrèn)` means "to confirm," and `收货 (shōuhuò)` means "to receive goods." |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 这份文件没有老板的**签字**是无效的。 | * 经理已经在这份文件上**签字**了。 |
| * Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn méiyǒu lǎobǎn de **qiānzì** shì wúxiào de. | * Pinyin: Jīnglǐ yǐjīng zài zhè fèn wénjiàn shàng **qiānzì** le. |
| * English: This document is invalid without the boss's signature. | * English: The manager has already signed this document. |
| * Analysis: Here, **签字** functions colloquially as a noun for "signature." It underscores the signature's role in making a document official. | * Analysis: Shows the use of `签字` in a business hierarchy. The particle `了 (le)` indicates the action is complete. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 我们什么时候去**签字**租房合同？ | * 他拒绝在离婚协议上**签字**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen shénme shíhòu qù **qiānzì** zūfáng hétong? | * Pinyin: Tā jùjué zài líhūn xiéyì shàng **qiānzì**. |
| * English: When are we going to sign the apartment lease? | * English: He refused to sign the divorce agreement. |
| * Analysis: A very practical question for anyone living in China. **签字** is paired directly with the object, the lease (租房合同, zūfáng hétong). | * Analysis: Demonstrates the use of `签字` in a negative context with `拒绝 (jùjué)`, meaning "to refuse." |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 对不起，我不能在这份请愿书上**签字**。 | * 双方**签字**后，协议立即生效。 |
| * Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bùnéng zài zhè fèn qǐngyuànshū shàng **qiānzì**. | * Pinyin: Shuāngfāng **qiānzì** hòu, xiéyì lìjí shēngxiào. |
| * English: Sorry, I can't sign this petition. | * English: After both parties sign, the agreement takes effect immediately. |
| * Analysis: This shows that refusing to **签字** is an act of withholding agreement or support. | * Analysis: `双方 (shuāngfāng)` means "both parties," and `生效 (shēngxiào)` means "to take effect." This is common legal and contractual language. |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 父母需要**签字**同意孩子参加这次旅行。 | * 对不起，我不能替他**签字**。 |
| * Pinyin: Fùmǔ xūyào **qiānzì** tóngyì háizi cānjiā zhè cì lǚxíng. | * Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bùnéng tì tā **qiānzì**. |
| * English: Parents need to sign to approve their child's participation in this trip. | * English: Sorry, I can't sign for him. |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of **签字** for giving official permission or consent, often on a permission slip. | * Analysis: The word `替 (tì)` means "on behalf of" or "for." This sentence illustrates the personal nature of a signature. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 医生让我在这份手术同意书上**签字**。 | * 你需要用你的法定姓名**签字**。 |
| * Pinyin: Yīshēng ràng wǒ zài zhè fèn shǒushù tóngyìshū shàng **qiānzì**. | * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào yòng nǐ de fǎdìng xìngmíng **qiānzì**. |
| * English: The doctor asked me to sign this surgery consent form. | * English: You need to sign using your legal name. |
| * Analysis: A serious and important context where **签字** has significant consequences. | * Analysis: `法定姓名 (fǎdìng xìngmíng)` is "legal name." This is an important instruction for official documents. |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 你的**签字**有点潦草，能再签清楚一点吗？ | * 我们需要客户**签字**并盖章。 |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ de **qiānzì** yǒudiǎn liáocǎo, néng zài qiān qīngchǔ yīdiǎn ma? | * Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào kèhù **qiānzì** bìng gàizhāng. |
| * English: Your signature is a bit messy, can you sign it a bit more clearly? | * English: We need the client to sign and affix their seal. |
| * Analysis: Another example of **签字** used as a noun. The adjective 潦草 (liáocǎo) means "sloppy" or "illegible." | * Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural point about signatures and seals. `盖章 (gàizhāng)` means "to stamp a seal." |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 所有团队成员都在项目计划书上**签字**了。 | * 请在每一页的右下角**签字**。 |
| * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu tuánduì chéngyuán dōu zài xiàngmù jìhuàshū shàng **qiānzì** le. | * Pinyin: Qǐng zài měi yī yè de yòu xià jiǎo **qiānzì**. |
| * English: All team members have signed the project proposal. | * English: Please sign on the bottom right corner of every page. |
| * Analysis: This shows **签字** being used to indicate collective agreement and commitment within a group. | * Analysis: A practical and specific instruction you might encounter when dealing with a multi-page document. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| ==== 签字 (qiānzì) vs. 签名 (qiānmíng) ==== | The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `签字 (qiānzì)` and `签名 (qiānmíng)`. |
| This is the most critical distinction for learners. While they can | * **签字 (qiānzì) vs. 签名 (qiānmíng):** |
| | * **`签字 (qiānzì)`** is almost exclusively used as a **verb** meaning "to perform the act of signing." It emphasizes the action itself, especially in a formal or procedural context. |
| | * **`签名 (qiānmíng)`** is more versatile. It can be a **verb** ("to sign"), often used interchangeably with `签字`. However, it is also very commonly used as a **noun** meaning "a signature." |
| | * **Common Mistake:** Using `签字` as a noun. |
| | * **Incorrect:** 这是我的**签字**。 (Zhè shì wǒ de qiānzì.) |
| | * **Correct:** 这是我的**签名**。 (Zhè shì wǒ de **qiānmíng**.) |
| | * **Explanation:** When you are referring to the signature itself (the name you wrote), you must use the noun `签名`. |
| | * **Autographs:** While you could technically ask a celebrity to `签字`, the more natural and common term for getting an autograph is `签名`. |
| | * **More Natural:** 你能给我签个名吗？(Nǐ néng gěi wǒ qiān ge míng ma?) - Can you sign an autograph for me? |
| | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| | * [[签名]] (qiānmíng) - A close relative. Can be a verb ("to sign") but is most often the noun for "a signature." |
| | * [[合同]] (hétong) - Contract; a typical document that requires you to `签字`. |
| | * [[盖章]] (gàizhāng) - To affix an official seal/chop; often done in addition to `签字` on formal documents. |
| | * [[印章]] (yìnzhāng) - The physical seal or chop used to `盖章`. |
| | * [[文件]] (wénjiàn) - Document, file; the general term for what you sign. |
| | * [[协议]] (xiéyì) - Agreement; another type of formal document that requires a signature. |
| | * [[批准]] (pīzhǔn) - To approve, to ratify. This is a more abstract verb for giving official approval, which is the ultimate purpose of a `签字`. |
| | * [[收据]] (shōujù) - Receipt; an everyday item that you might need to sign. |
| | * [[手写]] (shǒuxiě) - Handwritten. A signature is a form of `手写`. |