这些名词均含“标志、象征、符号”之意。
symbol : 指作象征或表达某种深邃意蕴的特殊事物。
- A heart shape is the symbol of love.
心形是爱的象征。 - The wheel in the Indian flag is a symbol of peace.
印度国旗上的轮子象征和平。
badge : 一般指金属证章或写有姓名的带状标志物。
- Everyone at the conference wore a badge with their name on.
与会人员都戴着写有自己名字的证章。
sign : 普通用词，指人们公认事物的记号，也可指某种情况的征兆。
- a road sign
路标 - a shop sign
商店招牌 - His inability to handle the situation is a sure sign of weakness.
他无法控制局面无疑是一种软弱的表现。 - There was no sign of life in the building (= there seemed to be no one in it).
建筑物里看不到人影。 - Billy's work at school has shown signs of improvement this year.
比利的学业今年有进步的迹象。
signal : 指为某一目的而有意发出的信号。
- When she gave (them) the signal, they all cheered.
她发出信号后，他们都欢呼起来。 - The fireworks were a signal that the festival had started.
焰火是节日开始的信号。 - The police officer gave us the signal to stop.
警察示意我们停下。 - The signal for a race to start is often the firing of a gun.
赛跑常以发令枪响作为开始的信号。
mark : 普通用词，含义广泛。既可指方便于辨认而有意做的标记，又可指自然形成的标记或有别于他事物的特征。
- Did your attacker have any distinguishing marks, such as a scar or a birthmark?
袭击你的人有什么明显的特征吗，比如伤疤或胎记什么的？ - You can tell which puppy is which from the marks (also markings) on their fur.
你可以根据小狗皮毛上的斑纹来区分它们。
token : 语气庄重，指礼品、纪念物等作为表示友谊、爱情等的象征或标志。
- As a token of our gratitude for all that you have done, we would like you to accept this small gift.
为了表示我们对你们所做的一切的感谢，希望你们接受我们这份小小的礼物。 - It doesn't have to be a big present - it's just a token.
礼物不必大——只是为了表示一下。
attribute : 指人或物及其地位、属性的象征。
- Organizational ability is an essential attribute for a good manager.
组织能力是一个优秀经理必备的素质。
emblem : 指选定象征一个国家、民族或家庭等的图案或实物。
- America's national emblem, the bald eagle
美国的国徽——白头鹫 - the club emblem
俱乐部的徽章 - The dove is an emblem of peace.
鸽子是和平的象征。 - A rose is the national emblem of England.
玫瑰是英格兰的标志。