qiānzì: 签字 - To Sign, Signature

• 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
• 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.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qiān zì
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (functions as a verb, colloquially as a noun)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To affix one's signature to a document.
• 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.

• 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.”
• 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.
• Together, 签字 (qiānzì) literally means “to sign/inscribe characters,” which perfectly captures the meaning of writing your name for an official purpose.

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).

• 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.
• 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.

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.

This is the most common use of 签字. It implies a level of seriousness and agreement.

• Contracts: 签合同 (qiān hétong) - to sign a contract
• 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

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 1:
  • 请在这里签字。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zài zhèlǐ qiānzì.
  • 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.
• Example 2:
  • 他需要在合同的每一页上都签字。
  • Pinyin: Tā xūyào zài hétong de měi yī yè shàng dōu qiānzì.
  • English: He needs to sign on every page of the contract.
  • 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.
• Example 3:
  • 快递员等我签字以后才离开。
  • Pinyin: Kuàidìyuán děng wǒ qiānzì yǐhòu cái líkāi.
  • English: The delivery person only left after I signed for it.
  • Analysis: This shows 签字 as the required action to complete a transaction (receiving a package).
• Example 4:
  • 这份文件没有老板的签字是无效的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn méiyǒu lǎobǎn de qiānzì shì wúxiào de.
  • English: This document is invalid without the boss's signature.
  • Analysis: Here, 签字 functions colloquially as a noun for “signature.” It underscores the signature's role in making a document official.
• Example 5:
  • 我们什么时候去签字租房合同？
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shénme shíhòu qù qiānzì zūfáng hétong?
  • English: When are we going to sign the apartment lease?
  • 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).
• Example 6:
  • 对不起，我不能在这份请愿书上签字。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bùnéng zài zhè fèn qǐngyuànshū shàng qiānzì.
  • English: Sorry, I can't sign this petition.
  • Analysis: This shows that refusing to 签字 is an act of withholding agreement or support.
• Example 7:
  • 父母需要签字同意孩子参加这次旅行。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ xūyào qiānzì tóngyì háizi cānjiā zhè cì lǚxíng.
  • English: Parents need to sign to approve their child's participation in this trip.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of 签字 for giving official permission or consent, often on a permission slip.
• Example 8:
  • 医生让我在这份手术同意书上签字。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng ràng wǒ zài zhè fèn shǒushù tóngyìshū shàng qiānzì.
  • English: The doctor asked me to sign this surgery consent form.
  • Analysis: A serious and important context where 签字 has significant consequences.
• Example 9:
  • 你的签字有点潦草，能再签清楚一点吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de qiānzì yǒudiǎn liáocǎo, néng zài qiān qīngchǔ yīdiǎn ma?
  • English: Your signature is a bit messy, can you sign it a bit more clearly?
  • Analysis: Another example of 签字 used as a noun. The adjective 潦草 (liáocǎo) means “sloppy” or “illegible.”
• Example 10:
  • 所有团队成员都在项目计划书上签字了。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu tuánduì chéngyuán dōu zài xiàngmù jìhuàshū shàng qiānzì le.
  • English: All team members have signed the project proposal.
  • Analysis: This shows 签字 being used to indicate collective agreement and commitment within a group.

This is the most critical distinction for learners. While they can