Common signs in China
Recognise the signs for exits, toilets, tickets and more — no speaking needed. Rush hour at a Shenzhen metro station. Everything is signposted, if you can read a few characters.
Key phrases
The 6 phrases this lesson is built around, with the words that make them up. Tap ▶ to listen, or the turtle to hear it slowly.
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出口
Chūkǒu
Exit
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入口
Rùkǒu
Entrance
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厕所
Cèsuǒ
Toilet
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推
Tuī
Push
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拉
Lā
Pull
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售票处
Shòupiàochù
Ticket office
More phrases for this situation
Every other phrase from the lesson: 8 in all.
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洗手间
Xǐshǒujiān
Restroom
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男
Nán
Men
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女
Nǚ
Women
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禁止吸烟
Jìnzhǐ xīyān
No smoking
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地铁
Dìtiě
Metro
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收银台
Shōuyíntái
Checkout
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安全出口
Ānquán chūkǒu
Emergency exit
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营业中
Yíngyè zhōng
Open for business
What you’ll hear, and how to answer
Staff won’t follow your script. These are things they are likely to say here, with a reply that works.
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Staff
您好，您找什么？Nín hǎo, nín zhǎo shénme?
Hello, what are you looking for?
You
厕所Cèsuǒ
Toilet
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Staff
厕所在出口旁边。Cèsuǒ zài chūkǒu pángbiān.
The toilet is next to the exit.
You
出口Chūkǒu
Exit
Play the scene
Rush hour at a Shenzhen metro station. Everything is signposted, if you can read a few characters.
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Staff
您好，您找什么？
Nín hǎo, nín zhǎo shénme?
Hello, what are you looking for?
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You
厕所
Cèsuǒ
Toilet
What do you say?
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Staff
厕所在出口旁边。
Cèsuǒ zài chūkǒu pángbiān.
The toilet is next to the exit.
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You
出口
Chūkǒu
Exit
What do you say?
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Staff
对，就在那里。门要推，不要拉。
Duì, jiù zài nàlǐ. Mén yào tuī, bú yào lā.
Yes, right there. Push the door, don't pull.
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You
推
Tuī
Push
What do you say?
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Staff
买票的话，售票处在入口那边。
Mǎi piào de huà, shòupiàochù zài rùkǒu nàbiān.
For tickets, the ticket office is over by the entrance.
Scene complete. 很好！ (Hěn hǎo — very good!)
Culture tip
口 means opening
口 (kǒu) is a mouth or an opening. 出口 is the “out opening”, the exit; 入口 is the “in opening”, the entrance. Spot 出 and 入 and you'll never take the wrong door.
Which sign means “Exit”?
Show the answer
出口 — Exit