Common Public Area Signs in China

Public signs are very important. Many signs in China look similar to the ones available in Europe, USA and other countries in the world.

Familiar Public Area Signs
For example, NO SMOKING is pretty much the same.

禁止吸烟
Jìnzhǐ xīyān
No Mobile Phone looks similar too.

请勿使用手机
Qǐng wù shǐyòng shǒujī

Although a person does not recognize Chinese characters, the toilet signs should be self – explanatory:

公共厕所
gōnggòng cèsuǒ

洗手间
Xǐshǒujiān

Or

男／女
nán/nǚ
On the other hand, some signs look different.

Unfamiliar Public Area Signs
As you may know, tap water in China is not portable. Do not drink tap water unless there is a sign as below:

饮用水
Yǐnyòng shuǐ

禁止饮用
Jìnzhǐ yǐnyòng

禁止坐卧
Jìnzhǐ zuò wò

The sign above means “No Sitting or Lying is Allowed”.

禁止通过
Jìnzhǐ tōngguò

Here are these common public signs in Chinese.

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