Sign & Symbol的分別(急)20

Sign可解作簽署，標誌，如果你要同symbol一起解，就係標誌咁解，標誌多數係實物，例如路牌，路標等等，係指示他人之用，symbol就解作符號，符號多寫在紙上，例如地圖上圖例，但有時符號未必人人明白，可能只有作者先知。

SYMBOL (countable noun) – It is normally a picture or shape that represents a particular meaning. It also can be a letter, number or sign that represents an amount, chemical element or a process of calculation in mathematics. It may be something visible that represents something invisible.

Na is a chemical symbol for Sodium.
The symbol ∫ is the sign for integration in Calculus.
Dollar sign $ is a symbol.

SIGN (countable noun) has a broader meaning. It is a mark or a shape that has a particular meaning, just like symbol. But it may be a piece of paper, metal or wood with words or picture that gives people information, warnings or instruction. Some common signs include stop signs and other street signs as well as signs in public places such as bus stations, malls and airports.
On the other hand, it can be an event, fact … etc that shows something is happening or that something is true or exists
It can also mean a motion, action, or movement that you use to express a thought, command, or wish. e.g. sign language
Apart from that, sign can be used as a verb.

There is a “For Sale” sign on the car.
He ran the stop sign. (road sign, street sign, traffic sign)

The runner showed signs of fatigue. [= appeared to be tired]

Conclusion:
Signs usually tell everyone something, ~ information, warning, or instruction. Symbols represent something else. Signs are used for everyone to see and understand, even a child, whereas symbols may be used exclusively for a specific person/group of people who know what the symbols mean, like Au for gold. Signs may have symbols on them, but not the other way around.



2013-09-09 03:45:23 補充：
回答者001 給了精簡中文答案
symbol 雖是簡單符號, "未必人人明白",
sign 可能多過一個字, 是人人明白

sign noun:-showing something eg:-an event ,an action, a fact,shows that something exists, is happening now.
as symbol meaning:-a mark used to represent something, especially in mathematics:-a plus/minus sign (+/-) a dollar /pound sign ($/L)
For the verb:-sign your name is to write your name on a document,letter,e-mail,etc. to show that you've written it that you agree with what it says, that it is genuine.eg:-Sign your name here!
eg:-You haven't signed the e-mail. You haven't signed the cheque.

symbol noun :-is a person,an object,an event that represents a more general quality or situation;eg:-White represents a symbol of surrender ! eg:-The dove is a universal symbol of peace. eg:-Cross-hands become a symbol of the anti-government symbol outside govt.house.
If the synonym at sign is a sign,number,letter,etc.eg:-A list of symbols used on the map is given in the index.What is the symbol for a cold front??

sign 係標誌

symbol 係符號

2013-09-08 20:10:44 補充：
There is a strange symbol on the road sign.

那個路標上有個奇怪的符號。