Signs

17 phrases · Japanese with romanization, English and audio

  1. 入口

    Iriguchi

    Entrance

    Usage

    Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; also written 入り口

  2. 出口

    Deguchi

    Exit

    Usage

    Displayed at exits; in stations it is combined with a compass direction, e.g. 東口 (east exit)

  3. 非常口

    Hijōguchi

    Emergency Exit

    Usage

    Emergency exit sign, shown with the green running-man pictogram — the standard wording in Japanese hotels and stations

  4. 開店

    Kaiten

    Opening (of a shop)

    Usage

    Appears in notices such as 開店時間 (opening time) or 本日開店 (opening today); the door sign itself says 営業中

  5. 閉店

    Heiten

    Closing (of a shop)

    Usage

    Appears in notices such as 閉店時間 (closing time); note that 閉店セール means a going-out-of-business sale

  6. 営業中

    Eigyōchū

    Open for Business

    Usage

    The flip sign or noren curtain on a shop door meaning it is open now — this is the real-world Japanese "OPEN" sign

  7. 準備中

    Junbichū

    Preparing (temporarily closed)

    Usage

    The sign hung before opening or during a break between lunch and dinner — the shop is not closed for good, it will open later

  8. 男性

    Dansei

    Men

    Usage

    Marks the men's side of restrooms, baths, and changing rooms; sometimes written 男 or 殿方

  9. 女性

    Josei

    Women

    Usage

    Marks the women's side of restrooms, baths, and changing rooms; sometimes written 女 or 婦人

  10. 立入禁止

    Tachiiri kinshi

    No Entry

    Usage

    Posted on areas closed to the public, often as 関係者以外立入禁止 (staff only)

  11. 禁煙

    Kin'en

    Non-Smoking

    Usage

    No-smoking sign in restaurants, stations, and streets; some Japanese districts fine you for smoking on the street

  12. 喫煙所

    Kitsuenjo

    Smoking Area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking spot at stations, airports, and street corners; also written 喫煙室

  13. 階段

    Kaidan

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign for stairs; escalators are labelled separately as エスカレーター

  14. 押す

    Osu

    Push

    Usage

    The push label on a door; sometimes written in hiragana as おす

  15. 引く

    Hiku

    Pull

    Usage

    The pull label on a door; sometimes written in hiragana as ひく

  16. 工事中

    Kōjichū

    Under Construction

    Usage

    Posted at construction sites and closed passages, often with a detour instruction

  17. 故障中

    Koshōchū

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Posted on elevators, vending machines, or restroom stalls that are broken

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