Signs

1. 入口

   jap6 hau2

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and malls; HK signage is bilingual Chinese/English

2. 出口

   ceot1 hau2

   Exit

   Usage

   Marks the way out; MTR exits are numbered, e.g. "ceot1 hau2 A"

3. 太平門

   taai3 ping4 mun4

   Fire exit / emergency exit

   Usage

   Hong Kong marks fire exits "taai3 ping4 mun4", not the mainland wording "ānquán chūkǒu"

4. 開門

   hoi1 mun4

   Opens (doors open)

   Usage

   Appears on opening-hours notices; "gei2 dim2 hoi1 mun4" asks what time they open

5. 關門

   gwaan1 mun4

   Closes (doors shut)

   Usage

   Appears on closing-hours notices; in some contexts it also means a business has shut down for good

6. 營業中

   jing4 jip6 zung1

   Open for business

   Usage

   The "currently open" placard hung at shops, banks, and eateries

7. 休息中

   jau1 sik1 zung1

   On break / temporarily closed

   Usage

   The closest equivalent to a "preparing" sign — hung during a midday break or before opening; sometimes written "zaam6 ting4 jing4 jip6"

8. 男

   naam4

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men’s entrance, typically a restroom; often written "naam4 sai2 sau2 gaan1"

9. 女

   neoi5

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women’s entrance, typically a restroom; often written "neoi5 sai2 sau2 gaan1"

10. 禁止進入

    gam3 zi2 zeon3 jap6

    No entry

    Usage

    Posted on doors or areas restricted to authorized people; also written "haan4 jan4 min5 zeon3"

11. 禁止吸煙

    gam3 zi2 kap1 jin1

    No smoking

    Usage

    Hong Kong bans smoking indoors, in restaurants, and on transport; violations carry a fine

12. 吸煙區

    kap1 jin1 keoi1

    Smoking area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking area, e.g. at the airport or in some outdoor spots

13. 樓梯

    lau4 tai1

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign pointing to stairs in MTR stations and buildings

14. 推

    teoi1

    Push

    Usage

    Sign on a door indicating it should be pushed to open

15. 拉

    laai1

    Pull

    Usage

    Sign on a door indicating it should be pulled to open

16. 工程進行中

    gung1 cing4 zeon3 hang4 zung1

    Works in progress

    Usage

    Posted at roadworks and closed-off passages; a shop being renovated says "zong1 sau1 zung1"

17. 故障

    gu3 zoeng3

    Out of order

    Usage

    Posted on broken lifts, vending machines, or restroom stalls; often paired with "zaam6 ting4 fuk6 mou6" (out of service)

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