招牌 (zhāopái): signboard

Measure Word

一块招牌 kuài

Meanings

1 signboard
2 shop sign
3 trademark
4 signature (dish, move, etc.)

Characters

招

zhāo

to beckon; to recruit

牌

pái

sign; brand; card

Examples

这家店的招牌菜是红烧肉。

Zhèjiā diàn de zhāopáicài shì hóngshāo ròu.

This restaurant's signature dish is braised pork belly.

门口挂着一块很大的招牌。

Ménkǒu guà zhe yīkuài hěn dà de zhāopái.

A large signboard hangs at the entrance.

他的招牌笑容让人印象深刻。

Tā de zhāopái xiàoróng ràng rén yìnxiàng shēnkè.

His trademark smile leaves a deep impression.

Tips

usage

招牌 literally means a shop sign, but is widely used figuratively to mean someone's 'signature' trait, skill, or product. 招牌菜 = signature dish.

memory

Think of 招 (beckon) + 牌 (sign) — a sign that beckons customers inside.

Stroke Order

招 zhāo

牌 pái

Related Words

招牌菜 zhāopáicài

signature dish / specialty of the house

招待 zhāodài HSK 7-9 #5,106

to entertain (guests) / to host / to serve / reception

牌子 páizi HSK 3 #4,561

brand; trademark / sign; signboard

招数 zhāoshù HSK 7-9 #11,767

move / trick / tactic / device

招募 zhāomù HSK 7-9 #8,675

to recruit / to enlist / to hire

招待会 zhāodàihuì HSK 7-9 #9,145

reception / reception party / banquet

打招呼 dǎzhāohu HSK 7-9 #5,296

to greet / to say hello / to give a heads-up

招 zhāo HSK 6 #1,618

to recruit; to attract; to beckon / a move; a trick; a method / to confess (under interrogation)

牌 pái HSK 4 #1,361

sign; board; plaque / brand; trademark / card; playing card

牌照 páizhào HSK 7-9 #8,479

license plate / license; permit; registration