signpost
signpost — 名詞
- signpostsingular
- signpostsplural
1. a tall board placed beside a street or path, especially where roads cross, that
路標
路邊指示方向與距離的標誌
a tall board placed beside a street or path, especially where roads cross, that tells people the names of nearby towns and how far away those places are
Emre checked the green signpost at the fork and turned left toward the coast.
Emre 在交叉路口查看了綠色路標，然後左轉往海岸方向行駛。
The faded signpost near the village could barely be read after years of rain and wind.
村子附近那座褪色的路標經過多年的風吹雨打後幾乎無法辨識。
passive: signpost could be read
A large brown signpost on the highway pointed drivers toward the national park entrance.
高速公路旁一個大型棕色路標指引駕駛人前往國家公園入口。
Rachel used the wooden signpost at the crossroads to find the quickest route to the lake.
Rachel 利用十字路口的那座木製路標找到了前往湖畔最快的路線。
2. something that provides a strong clue about what will come next or what the best
徵兆；指標
預示未來發展的事物
something that provides a strong clue about what will come next or what the best course of action should be
Falling sales figures were a clear signpost that the company needed to change its strategy.
銷售額持續下滑是一個明顯的徵兆，顯示公司需要改變經營策略。
collocation: a clear signpost that + clause
The new law is an important signpost showing how the government plans to tackle climate change.
這項新法是政府打算如何應對氣候變遷的重要指標。
For Beatrix, the scholarship offer was a signpost that her hard work had finally paid off.
對 Beatrix 來說，獲得獎學金就是她的努力終於有了回報的徵兆。
Historians view the 1989 protests as a signpost on the road toward democracy in that region.
歷史學家將 1989 年的抗議視為該地區邁向民主之路的指標。
用法筆記
Frequently used with an adjective such as 'clear', 'important', or 'early' before the noun. The pattern 'a signpost that…' or 'a signpost for…' is common in formal writing and news reports.
signpost — 動詞
- signpostpresent simple I / you / we / they
- signposts3rd person singular
- signposting-ing form
- signpostedpast simple
1. to put up boards or markers along a route to help people find their way without
設置路標
在道路上安裝標示牌
to put up boards or markers along a route to help people find their way without getting lost
The local walking club has signposted the coastal path with bright yellow arrows.
當地健行俱樂部已經用亮黃色箭頭標示了海岸步道。
passive: has signposted [route] with [markers]
Hari noticed the forest trail was not well signposted, so he used a map on his phone.
Hari 發現森林小徑的標示不清，所以他用手機看地圖。
The council plans to signpost the cycle route through the park before the summer holiday.
市議會計畫在暑假前標示出公園裡的自行車路線。
Lukas and Minh spent an afternoon signposting the mountain path with painted wooden posts.
Lukas 和 Minh 花了一個下午用漆上顏色的木樁來標示山徑。
文法句型
signpost + noun phrase (the road / the trail)
用法筆記
This sense is most common in British English. In American English 'marked' or 'signed' is more typical. Often used in the passive: 'the route is well signposted'.
2. to make clear how a situation will unfold or what course it should take — for ex
指明方向
清楚顯示未來發展方向
to make clear how a situation will unfold or what course it should take — for example, early election results hinting at the final winner or a new study pointing toward a medical breakthrough
Professor Okonkwo's research signposted the way for a whole new field of medical treatment.
Okonkwo 教授的研究為整個全新的醫療領域指明了方向。
pattern: signpost + the way for + noun phrase
The government's spending plans are signposted by several key announcements made last week.
政府的支出計畫由上週發布的幾項重大公告所指明方向。
Adaeze's early paintings signposted the bold style she would later become famous for.
Adaeze 早期的畫作預示了她日後聞名的大膽風格。
Rising temperatures in the Arctic signpost a shift in global weather patterns over the coming decades.
北極地區氣溫升高，預示了未來數十年全球天氣型態的轉變。
- indicate
more general; 'signpost' adds a sense of clarity and intended direction
- foreshadow
focuses on predicting, whereas 'signpost' also suggests guiding toward a desired outcome
文法句型
signpost + noun phrase (the direction / the way)
be signposted by + noun
用法筆記
Common in academic, business, and political contexts. Often used with 'the way for', 'the direction of', or 'how / what / where' clauses. Frequently found in the passive voice.
3. to send or point a person toward the right organization, service, or professiona
轉介
告知應求助的機構或人員
to send or point a person toward the right organization, service, or professional who can give them the help or information they need
The community worker signposted the family to a local food bank and a housing advice centre.
社區工作人員將這戶家庭轉介到當地的食物銀行和房屋諮詢中心。
pattern: signpost + someone + to + [organisation]
Patients who do not need urgent care are signposted to their local pharmacy for advice.
不需要緊急醫療的病患會被轉介到社區藥局諮詢。
Diego called the helpline and was signposted to a free legal advice service for immigrant workers.
Diego 撥打求助專線後被轉介到一個為移民勞工提供免費法律諮詢的服務機構。
School counsellors often signpost teenagers to mental health support groups in the community.
學校輔導老師常將青少年轉介到社區的心理健康支持團體。
文法句型
signpost + someone + to + organization
用法筆記
Common in British public services, healthcare, and social work. The person doing the signposting does not provide the help themselves; they tell the person where to go. 'Refer' is a near synonym but implies a more formal or official transfer of care.