符号|ふごうfugou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounsign; mark; symbol; code
2. noun, mathsign (e.g. positive, negative)

• Synonym記号きごうNeutralThe everyday word for signs and marks with set meanings, like map symbols or chemical notation. 「符号」 leans toward mathematical signs and codes.
• SynonymマークNeutralLoanword for marks, logos and trademarks; also a verb, 「マークする」, meaning to mark or shadow someone. Very common in speech.
• SynonymシンボルNeutralLoanword for an emblem or symbol of something, as in 「平和のシンボル」. Stresses symbolic meaning rather than a technical sign.
• SynonymしるしNeutralA broad word for a mark or sign, also a token or proof, as in 「感謝の印」. Covers far more ground than 「符号」.
• Related標識ひょうしきNeutralSigns posted to direct people, like road signs — 「道路標識」. Focuses on guiding traffic and pedestrians, not abstract symbols.
• RelatedしるしNeutralA broad word for a mark or sign, also a token or proof, as in 「感謝の印」. Covers far more ground than 「符号」.
• Related信号しんごうNeutralSignals that transmit information, like 「電気信号」 or 「信号を送る」, and traffic lights. Focuses on sending a message, not on notation.
• RelatedコードNeutralLoanword for codes and coding, as in 「バーコード」. Leans toward computing and barcodes rather than mathematical signs.
• Related象徴しょうちょうWrittenA symbol representing something abstract, as in 「平和の象徴」. More at home in written prose than 「シンボル」.
• Related表象ひょうしょうWrittenAcademic term from psychology and philosophy for a mental image or representation. Not used for everyday signs.
• Related目印めじるしNeutralA marker used to spot or find something, as in 「目印をつける」. For quick identification, not for coded information.
• Related符丁ふちょうNeutralSecret marks or argot, such as shop price codes, understood only by insiders. Much rarer than 「符号」.
• Related標ひょうWrittenWritten and rare as a word on its own: a mark or target. It mostly appears inside compounds such as 「標識」 and 「目標」, and is not used for signs or codes like 「符号」.
• Related標記ひょうきWrittenWritten/formal: marking something, or the subject line of a document, as in 「標記の件」. Found mostly in official papers.
• Related表徴ひょうちょうWrittenWritten/formal: an outward sign or manifestation of something. Academic flavor and rarely used in modern Japanese.

Use 「符号」 for mathematical signs such as plus and minus and for codes. For everyday signs choose 「記号」, for marks and logos 「マーク」, for road signs 「標識」, for symbols 「シンボル」 or 「象徴」, and for identification markers 「目印」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. ある情報じょうほうを表あらわすために体系的たいけいてきに作つくられた記号きごう。
2. 正数せいすうや負数ふすうを表あらわす記号きごう。