Signs

1. Entrada

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities. Catalan and Spanish spell it identically, so bilingual signs often show it only once

2. Sortida

   Exit

   Usage

   Displayed at the exit of buildings, stations, and facilities; motorway exits use the same word. Bilingual signs read "SORTIDA / SALIDA"

3. Sortida d'emergència

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   Emergency exit sign, shown with a green pictogram; sometimes written "Sortida de socors". The Spanish half of a bilingual sign reads "Salida de emergencia"

4. Obert

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   The "OPEN" placard on a shop door — usually the flip side of a "Tancat" sign

5. Tancat

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   The "CLOSED" placard on a shop door; the Spanish half reads "Cerrado"

6. Obert al públic

   Open for Business

   Usage

   Signage on offices, banks, and public facilities stating they are currently open to the public — more formal than the door placard

7. Tancat temporalment

   Temporarily Closed

   Usage

   Catalan has no exact equivalent of Japanese "junbichuu"; this is the closest. Midday breaks are marked "Tornem de seguida" and summer closures "Tancat per vacances"

8. Homes

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's restroom entrance; also written "Cavallers". The Spanish half reads "Hombres" or "Caballeros"

9. Dones

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's restroom entrance; also written "Senyores". The Spanish half reads "Mujeres" or "Señoras"

10. Prohibit el pas

    No Entry

    Usage

    Posted on doors or areas restricted to authorized people; often paired with "Només personal autoritzat"

11. Prohibit fumar

    No Smoking

    Usage

    No-smoking sign posted indoors, in restaurants, and on transport; the Spanish half reads "Prohibido fumar"

12. Zona de fumadors

    Smoking Area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking area, e.g. at airports and stations; since indoor smoking is banned, these are usually outdoor terraces

13. Escales

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign pointing to stairs; an escalator is signposted "Escales mecàniques" and a lift "Ascensor"

14. Empenyeu

    Push

    Usage

    Door sign meaning push; the Spanish half reads "Empujar" or "Empuje"

15. Estireu

    Pull

    Usage

    Door sign meaning pull. The verb "estirar" also means to stretch, so only match it on doors; the Spanish half reads "Tirar"

16. Obres

    Under Construction

    Usage

    Posted at construction sites or closed-off passages; also seen as "En obres". The Spanish half reads "Obras"

17. Fora de servei

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Posted on broken elevators, vending machines, or restroom stalls; also written "Avariat" or "No funciona"

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