Chinese Signs And Signage: Read The Stuff On The Wall Without Guessing

Learn common signs and signage in Chinese: 标志和标牌 biāozhì hé biāopái.

From 出口 chūkǒu on a subway wall to 小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá on a wet floor, these are the words that quietly run daily life. They are short, practical, and wildly useful if you want to stop walking into the wrong door like a confused tourist in a supermarket.

Chinese signs love being brief. That is great for native speakers and mildly rude to beginners. The good news is that the same words appear again and again in stations, malls, elevators, toilets, parks, hotels, and office buildings.

Below, you will learn the high-frequency signs first, then move into grouped vocabulary with example sentences. Every item includes simplified Chinese, pinyin, meaning, and a real sentence so the words actually stick.

Yak Tip: Chinese signs often drop grammar words that would appear in full sentences. 禁止吸烟 jìnzhǐ xīyān literally looks like “forbid smoking,” not “smoking is prohibited.” Very efficient. Very not interested in your feelings.

Essential Sign Cards

出口 chūkǒu

Meaning: Exit

出口 chūkǒu 在右边。
Chūkǒu zài yòubiān.
The exit is on the right.

入口 rùkǒu

Meaning: Entrance

请从入口 rùkǒu 进入。
Qǐng cóng rùkǒu jìnrù.
Please enter through the entrance.

卫生间 wèishēngjiān

Meaning: Restroom / Toilet

卫生间 wèishēngjiān 在二楼。
Wèishēngjiān zài èr lóu.
The restroom is on the second floor.

禁止 jìnzhǐ

Meaning: Prohibited / Forbidden

这里禁止 jìnzhǐ 停车。
Zhèlǐ jìnzhǐ tíngchē.
Parking is prohibited here.

小心 xiǎoxīn

Meaning: Be careful / Caution

小心 xiǎoxīn 台阶。
Xiǎoxīn táijiē.
Watch your step.

售票处 shòupiàochù

Meaning: Ticket Office

售票处 shòupiàochù 在前面。
Shòupiàochù zài qiánmiàn.
The ticket office is ahead.

营业中 yíngyè zhōng

Meaning: Open For Business

这家店现在营业中 yíngyè zhōng。
Zhè jiā diàn xiànzài yíngyè zhōng.
This shop is open now.

暂停服务 zàntíng fúwù

Meaning: Service Temporarily Unavailable

电梯暂停服务 zàntíng fúwù。
Diàntī zàntíng fúwù.
The elevator is temporarily out of service.

Useful Phrases And Real-Life Sentences

请勿吸烟 qǐngwù xīyān — Please do not smoke
车站里请勿吸烟 qǐngwù xīyān。
Chēzhàn lǐ qǐngwù xīyān.
Please do not smoke in the station.
禁止停车 jìnzhǐ tíngchē — No parking
门口禁止停车 jìnzhǐ tíngchē。
Ménkǒu jìnzhǐ tíngchē.
No parking at the entrance.
小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá — Caution: Wet floor
下雨以后，这里常常有“小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá”的牌子。
Xiàyǔ yǐhòu, zhèlǐ chángcháng yǒu “xiǎoxīn dì huá” de páizi.
After rain, there is often a “wet floor” sign here.
闲人免进 xiánrén miǎn jìn — Authorized personnel only / No unauthorized entry
这扇门写着闲人免进 xiánrén miǎn jìn。
Zhè shàn mén xiězhe xiánrén miǎn jìn.
This door says “authorized personnel only.”
正在维修 zhèngzài wéixiū — Under maintenance
洗手间正在维修 zhèngzài wéixiū。
Xǐshǒujiān zhèngzài wéixiū.
The restroom is under maintenance.
请排队 qǐng páiduì — Please line up
买票的人很多，请排队 qǐng páiduì。
Mǎi piào de rén hěn duō, qǐng páiduì.
There are many people buying tickets, so please line up.
保持安静 bǎochí ānjìng — Keep quiet
图书馆里请保持安静 bǎochí ānjìng。
Túshūguǎn lǐ qǐng bǎochí ānjìng.
Please keep quiet in the library.
请勿触摸 qǐngwù chùmō — Do not touch
博物馆里的展品请勿触摸 qǐngwù chùmō。
Bówùguǎn lǐ de zhǎnpǐn qǐngwù chùmō.
Please do not touch the exhibits in the museum.
男宾 nánbīn — Men / Male guests
男宾 nánbīn 请往左边走。
Nánbīn qǐng wǎng zuǒbiān zǒu.
Men, please go to the left.
女宾 nǚbīn — Women / Female guests
女宾 nǚbīn 更衣室在里面。
Nǚbīn gēngyīshì zài lǐmiàn.
The women’s changing room is inside.
安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu — Emergency exit / Safety exit
请不要堵住安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu。
Qǐng búyào dǔzhù ānquán chūkǒu.
Please do not block the emergency exit.
请勿倚靠 qǐngwù yǐkào — Do not lean
地铁车门上常写着请勿倚靠 qǐngwù yǐkào。
Dìtiě chēmén shàng cháng xiězhe qǐngwù yǐkào.
Subway doors often say “do not lean.”

Direction And Facility Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
入口	rùkǒu	Entrance	入口 rùkǒu 在前面。	Rùkǒu zài qiánmiàn.	The entrance is ahead.
出口	chūkǒu	Exit	请从出口 chūkǒu 离开。	Qǐng cóng chūkǒu líkāi.	Please leave through the exit.
上行	shàngxíng	Up / Going up	上行 shàngxíng 电梯在左边。	Shàngxíng diàntī zài zuǒbiān.	The upward elevator is on the left.
下行	xiàxíng	Down / Going down	下行 xiàxíng 扶梯在右边。	Xiàxíng fútī zài yòubiān.	The down escalator is on the right.
售票处	shòupiàochù	Ticket office	售票处 shòupiàochù 还开着。	Shòupiàochù hái kāizhe.	The ticket office is still open.
服务台	fúwùtái	Service desk	有问题请去服务台 fúwùtái。	Yǒu wèntí qǐng qù fúwùtái.	If you have questions, go to the service desk.
收银台	shōuyíntái	Cashier	收银台 shōuyíntái 在出口旁边。	Shōuyíntái zài chūkǒu pángbiān.	The cashier is next to the exit.
等候区	děnghòuqū	Waiting area	请在等候区 děnghòuqū 休息。	Qǐng zài děnghòuqū xiūxi.	Please rest in the waiting area.
候车室	hòuchēshì	Waiting room	候车室 hòuchēshì 很安静。	Hòuchēshì hěn ānjìng.	The waiting room is very quiet.
卫生间	wèishēngjiān	Restroom	卫生间 wèishēngjiān 在二楼。	Wèishēngjiān zài èr lóu.	The restroom is on the second floor.
电梯	diàntī	Elevator	这部电梯 diàntī 只能上行。	Zhè bù diàntī zhǐ néng shàngxíng.	This elevator can only go up.
扶梯	fútī	Escalator	请靠右站在扶梯 fútī 上。	Qǐng kào yòu zhàn zài fútī shàng.	Please stand on the right on the escalator.
停车场	tíngchēchǎng	Parking lot	地下有停车场 tíngchēchǎng。	Dìxià yǒu tíngchēchǎng.	There is a parking lot underground.

Warning And Restriction Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
禁止吸烟	jìnzhǐ xīyān	No smoking	餐厅里禁止吸烟 jìnzhǐ xīyān。	Cāntīng lǐ jìnzhǐ xīyān.	Smoking is prohibited in the restaurant.
禁止拍照	jìnzhǐ pāizhào	No photography	这里禁止拍照 jìnzhǐ pāizhào。	Zhèlǐ jìnzhǐ pāizhào.	Photography is prohibited here.
禁止入内	jìnzhǐ rùnèi	No entry	施工区域禁止入内 jìnzhǐ rùnèi。	Shīgōng qūyù jìnzhǐ rùnèi.	No entry to the construction area.
禁止停车	jìnzhǐ tíngchē	No parking	大门前禁止停车 jìnzhǐ tíngchē。	Dàmén qián jìnzhǐ tíngchē.	No parking in front of the gate.
请勿触摸	qǐngwù chùmō	Do not touch	展品请勿触摸 qǐngwù chùmō。	Zhǎnpǐn qǐngwù chùmō.	Please do not touch the exhibits.
请勿攀爬	qǐngwù pānpá	Do not climb	栏杆请勿攀爬 qǐngwù pānpá。	Lángān qǐngwù pānpá.	Please do not climb the railing.
请勿倚靠	qǐngwù yǐkào	Do not lean	车门请勿倚靠 qǐngwù yǐkào。	Chēmén qǐngwù yǐkào.	Please do not lean on the doors.
小心地滑	xiǎoxīn dì huá	Caution: Wet floor	雨天门口要放“小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá”的牌子。	Yǔtiān ménkǒu yào fàng “xiǎoxīn dì huá” de páizi.	On rainy days, a wet-floor sign should be placed at the entrance.
小心台阶	xiǎoxīn táijiē	Watch your step	出口附近有“小心台阶 xiǎoxīn táijiē”。	Chūkǒu fùjìn yǒu “xiǎoxīn táijiē”.	There is a “watch your step” sign near the exit.
小心碰头	xiǎoxīn pèngtóu	Mind your head	门很低，小心碰头 xiǎoxīn pèngtóu。	Mén hěn dī, xiǎoxīn pèngtóu.	The doorway is low, mind your head.
高压危险	gāoyā wēixiǎn	High voltage danger	配电箱上写着高压危险 gāoyā wēixiǎn。	Pèidiànxiāng shàng xiězhe gāoyā wēixiǎn.	The electrical box says “high voltage danger.”
闲人免进	xiánrén miǎn jìn	Authorized personnel only	办公室后门闲人免进 xiánrén miǎn jìn。	Bàngōngshì hòumén xiánrén miǎn jìn.	The back office door is for authorized personnel only.
施工中	shīgōng zhōng	Under construction	前面施工中 shīgōng zhōng，请绕行。	Qiánmiàn shīgōng zhōng, qǐng ràoxíng.	Construction ahead, please take a detour.

Public Courtesy And Service Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
请排队	qǐng páiduì	Please line up	上车前请排队 qǐng páiduì。	Shàngchē qián qǐng páiduì.	Please line up before boarding.
请稍候	qǐng shāohòu	Please wait a moment	系统更新中，请稍候 qǐng shāohòu。	Xìtǒng gēngxīn zhōng, qǐng shāohòu.	The system is updating. Please wait a moment.
请保持安静	qǐng bǎochí ānjìng	Please keep quiet	病房里请保持安静 qǐng bǎochí ānjìng。	Bìngfáng lǐ qǐng bǎochí ānjìng.	Please keep quiet in the ward.
爱护公物	àihù gōngwù	Take care of public property	教室里贴着爱护公物 àihù gōngwù。	Jiàoshì lǐ tiēzhe àihù gōngwù.	A “take care of public property” sign is posted in the classroom.
节约用水	jiéyuē yòngshuǐ	Save water	洗手台旁边有节约用水 jiéyuē yòngshuǐ 的提示。	Xǐshǒutái pángbiān yǒu jiéyuē yòngshuǐ de tíshì.	There is a “save water” reminder next to the sink.
保持清洁	bǎochí qīngjié	Keep clean	请保持清洁 bǎochí qīngjié，不要乱扔垃圾。	Qǐng bǎochí qīngjié, búyào luàn rēng lājī.	Please keep clean and do not litter.
暂停服务	zàntíng fúwù	Service temporarily unavailable	这台机器暂停服务 zàntíng fúwù。	Zhè tái jīqì zàntíng fúwù.	This machine is temporarily out of service.
正在维修	zhèngzài wéixiū	Under maintenance	自动门正在维修 zhèngzài wéixiū。	Zìdòngmén zhèngzài wéixiū.	The automatic door is under maintenance.
营业中	yíngyè zhōng	Open for business	商店已经营业中 yíngyè zhōng。	Shāngdiàn yǐjīng yíngyè zhōng.	The shop is already open.
暂停营业	zàntíng yíngyè	Temporarily closed	这家店今天暂停营业 zàntíng yíngyè。	Zhè jiā diàn jīntiān zàntíng yíngyè.	This store is temporarily closed today.
欢迎光临	huānyíng guānglín	Welcome	门口写着欢迎光临 huānyíng guānglín。	Ménkǒu xiězhe huānyíng guānglín.	The entrance says “welcome.”
谢谢惠顾	xièxie huìgù	Thank you for your patronage	离开时你会看到谢谢惠顾 xièxie huìgù。	Líkāi shí nǐ huì kàndào xièxie huìgù.	You will see “thank you for your patronage” when leaving.

Restroom And Gender Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
男	nán	Male / Men	“男 nán” 在左边门上。	“Nán” zài zuǒbiān mén shàng.	“Men” is on the left door.
女	nǚ	Female / Women	“女 nǚ” 在右边门上。	“Nǚ” zài yòubiān mén shàng.	“Women” is on the right door.
男厕	náncè	Men’s restroom	男厕 náncè 在走廊尽头。	Náncè zài zǒuláng jìntóu.	The men’s restroom is at the end of the hallway.
女厕	nǚcè	Women’s restroom	女厕 nǚcè 人比较多。	Nǚcè rén bǐjiào duō.	The women’s restroom is more crowded.
男宾	nánbīn	Male guests	温泉区男宾 nánbīn 在一层。	Wēnquánqū nánbīn zài yī céng.	The men’s spa area is on the first floor.
女宾	nǚbīn	Female guests	女宾 nǚbīn 请在这里换鞋。	Nǚbīn qǐng zài zhèlǐ huàn xié.	Female guests, please change shoes here.
无障碍卫生间	wúzhàng’ài wèishēngjiān	Accessible restroom	无障碍卫生间 wúzhàng’ài wèishēngjiān 在电梯旁。	Wúzhàng’ài wèishēngjiān zài diàntī páng.	The accessible restroom is next to the elevator.

Transport And Safety Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
安全出口	ānquán chūkǒu	Emergency exit	安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu 不要堵塞。	Ānquán chūkǒu búyào dǔsè.	Do not block the emergency exit.
紧急出口	jǐnjí chūkǒu	Emergency exit	看到紧急出口 jǐnjí chūkǒu 就往那里走。	Kàndào jǐnjí chūkǒu jiù wǎng nàli zǒu.	If you see the emergency exit, head there.
候车区	hòuchēqū	Boarding / waiting area	请在候车区 hòuchēqū 等车。	Qǐng zài hòuchēqū děng chē.	Please wait in the boarding area.
检票口	jiǎnpiàokǒu	Ticket checkpoint	检票口 jiǎnpiàokǒu 快要关闭了。	Jiǎnpiàokǒu kuài yào guānbì le.	The ticket checkpoint is about to close.
安检	ānjiǎn	Security check	进站前先过安检 ānjiǎn。	Jìnzhàn qián xiān guò ānjiǎn.	Go through security before entering the station.
请先下后上	qǐng xiān xià hòu shàng	Please let people exit before entering	地铁门边常写着请先下后上 qǐng xiān xià hòu shàng。	Dìtiě mén biān cháng xiězhe qǐng xiān xià hòu shàng.	Subway doors often say “let people exit before entering.”
当心夹手	dāngxīn jiāshǒu	Mind your hands / Watch for pinching	自动门旁边有当心夹手 dāngxīn jiāshǒu。	Zìdòngmén pángbiān yǒu dāngxīn jiāshǒu.	There is a “mind your hands” sign by the automatic door.
请拉扶手	qǐng lā fúshǒu	Please hold the handrail	楼梯边写着请拉扶手 qǐng lā fúshǒu。	Lóutī biān xiězhe qǐng lā fúshǒu.	The stairs say “please hold the handrail.”
请看管好随身物品	qǐng kànguǎn hǎo suíshēn wùpǐn	Please watch your belongings	车站广播也会说请看管好随身物品 qǐng kànguǎn hǎo suíshēn wùpǐn。	Chēzhàn guǎngbō yě huì shuō qǐng kànguǎn hǎo suíshēn wùpǐn.	The station announcement also says “please watch your belongings.”
请勿靠近	qǐngwù kàojìn	Do not approach	危险区域请勿靠近 qǐngwù kàojìn。	Wēixiǎn qūyù qǐngwù kàojìn.	Do not approach the dangerous area.

Shop And Building Status Signs

Hanzi	Pinyin	Meaning	Example (ZH)	Example (Pinyin)	Translation (EN)
营业时间	yíngyè shíjiān	Business hours	门上写着营业时间 yíngyè shíjiān。	Mén shàng xiězhe yíngyè shíjiān.	The business hours are written on the door.
营业中	yíngyè zhōng	Open	咖啡店已经营业中 yíngyè zhōng。	Kāfēidiàn yǐjīng yíngyè zhōng.	The café is already open.
暂停营业	zàntíng yíngyè	Temporarily closed	店门口挂着暂停营业 zàntíng yíngyè。	Diàn ménkǒu guàzhe zàntíng yíngyè.	A “temporarily closed” sign is hanging at the shop entrance.
今日休息	jīnrì xiūxi	Closed today	小店今天今日休息 jīnrì xiūxi。	Xiǎodiàn jīntiān jīnrì xiūxi.	The small shop is closed today.
推	tuī	Push	这扇门写着推 tuī。	Zhè shàn mén xiězhe tuī.	This door says “push.”
拉	lā	Pull	另一扇门写着拉 lā。	Lìng yī shàn mén xiězhe lā.	The other door says “pull.”
自动门	zìdòngmén	Automatic door	请站远一点，这是自动门 zìdòngmén。	Qǐng zhàn yuǎn yìdiǎn, zhè shì zìdòngmén.	Please stand farther back, this is an automatic door.
员工通道	yuángōng tōngdào	Staff only passage	这里是员工通道 yuángōng tōngdào。	Zhèlǐ shì yuángōng tōngdào.	This is the staff passage.
监控区域	jiānkòng qūyù	Area under surveillance	大厅是监控区域 jiānkòng qūyù。	Dàtīng shì jiānkòng qūyù.	The lobby is under surveillance.
请扫码	qǐng sǎomǎ	Please scan the code	点餐前请扫码 qǐng sǎomǎ。	Diǎncān qián qǐng sǎomǎ.	Please scan the code before ordering.

Quick Notes On Common Confusion

入口 rùkǒu and 出口 chūkǒu look annoyingly similar at first. Focus on 入 rù “enter” and 出 chū “go out.”
请勿 qǐngwù is a polite-looking way to say “please do not.” It sounds softer than 禁止 jìnzhǐ, which is more direct and official.
安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu and 紧急出口 jǐnjí chūkǒu both mean emergency exit in many real situations. You will see both.
卫生间 wèishēngjiān is the safe, standard word for restroom. 厕所 cèsuǒ also means toilet, but signage in malls, offices, and hotels often prefers 卫生间 wèishēngjiān.
营业中 yíngyè zhōng means open, while 暂停营业 zàntíng yíngyè means temporarily closed. One invites you in. The other crushes your snack plans.

Quick Reference Summary

入口 rùkǒu — entrance
出口 chūkǒu — exit
卫生间 wèishēngjiān — restroom
服务台 fúwùtái — service desk
售票处 shòupiàochù — ticket office
收银台 shōuyíntái — cashier
停车场 tíngchēchǎng — parking lot
电梯 diàntī — elevator
扶梯 fútī — escalator
营业中 yíngyè zhōng — open

禁止吸烟 jìnzhǐ xīyān — no smoking
禁止入内 jìnzhǐ rùnèi — no entry
请勿触摸 qǐngwù chùmō — do not touch
请排队 qǐng páiduì — please line up
请保持安静 qǐng bǎochí ānjìng — please keep quiet
小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá — wet floor
小心台阶 xiǎoxīn táijiē — watch your step
安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu — emergency exit
暂停服务 zàntíng fúwù — temporarily unavailable
今日休息 jīnrì xiūxi — closed today

Final Yak Box

If you can read just ten signs well, daily Chinese becomes much less mysterious. Start with 入口 rùkǒu, 出口 chūkǒu, 卫生间 wèishēngjiān, 禁止吸烟 jìnzhǐ xīyān, 小心地滑 xiǎoxīn dì huá, 请排队 qǐng páiduì, and 安全出口 ānquán chūkǒu. Those seven already cover a shocking amount of real life.

The trick is not memorizing random lists forever. Notice the same chunks repeating: 请 qǐng for polite instructions, 禁止 jìnzhǐ for hard restrictions, 小心 xiǎoxīn for warnings, and 处 chù or 台 tái for service places. Once your brain catches those patterns, signs stop looking like decorative intimidation.