traffic light
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traffic light
A light signal system that regulates traffic at intersections or crossings using the colors red, yellow, and green.
Fahr bitte erst los, wenn die Ampel auf Grün schaltet.
Please don't start driving until the traffic light turns green.
The meaning of 'Ampel' depends heavily on the context. In road traffic, it is the light signal system. In political news, it stands for a specific government coalition. In the context of living spaces or plants, it means a hanging container.
Du musst an der nächsten Ampel links abbiegen.
You have to turn left at the next traffic light.
In traffic contexts, 'Ampel' (traffic light) is often used with the colors red, yellow, and green. Typical verbs are 'stehen' (to stand), 'warten' (to wait), 'schalten' (to change), or 'überqueren' (to cross).
Wir mussten lange an der Ampel warten, weil sie rot war.
We had to wait a long time at the traffic light because it was red.
In Germany, the term 'Ampel' (traffic light) is used for a government coalition made up of the parties SPD (color red), FDP (yellow), and the Greens (green). This term is very common in political reporting.
Die Minister der Ampel trafen sich zu einer Krisensitzung.
The ministers of the traffic-light coalition met for a crisis meeting.
The expression 'bei Rot über die Ampel fahren' means to run a red light. This is a well-known traffic violation.
Er musste eine hohe Strafe zahlen, weil er bei Rot über die Ampel gefahren ist.
He had to pay a large fine because he ran a red light.