Signs

1. Giriş

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; often prefixed, e.g. "Metro Girişi"

2. Çıkış

   Exit

   Usage

   Exit sign on buildings and stations; at airports the same word can also head the departures side, so check the arrow

3. Acil Çıkış

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   Emergency exit sign, usually with a green pictogram; may also read "Yangın Çıkışı" (fire exit)

4. Açık

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   The word on a shop door's "OPEN" flip sign; as a plain adjective "açık" also means open/light-colored/clear, but on a door it means open for business

5. Kapalı

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   The word on a shop door's "CLOSED" flip sign; note the Grand Bazaar is named "Kapalıçarşı" (covered market) from the same word

6. Hizmete Açıktır

   Open for Business

   Usage

   Formal "we are open / in service" notice on banks, exchange offices, and public buildings — more formal than the door's "Açık" flip sign

7. Geçici Olarak Kapalı

   Temporarily Closed

   Usage

   Turkish has no exact equivalent of Japanese "junbichuu"; this is the closest posted notice. A shop on break may instead post "Molada" (on a break)

8. Bay

   Men

   Usage

   Men's restroom sign; may also read "Erkek(ler)". Differs from the women's "Bayan" by one syllable only, so read carefully

9. Bayan

   Women

   Usage

   Women's restroom sign; may also read "Kadın(lar)". Easy to confuse with the men's "Bay"

10. Girilmez

    No Entry

    Usage

    Posted on doors and areas closed to the public, often as "Yetkili personel haricinde girilmez" (authorized personnel only)

11. Sigara İçilmez

    No Smoking

    Usage

    No-smoking sign posted indoors, in restaurants, and on public transport; indoor smoking is banned nationwide by law

12. Sigara İçme Alanı

    Smoking Area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking area at airports and terminals; also written "Sigara İçilebilir Alan"

13. Merdiven

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign for stairs; an escalator is "Yürüyen Merdiven" (moving stairs), so check the first word

14. İtiniz

    Push

    Usage

    Sign on a door meaning push; sometimes shortened to "İt"

15. Çekiniz

    Pull

    Usage

    Sign on a door meaning pull; sometimes shortened to "Çek"

16. İnşaat Alanı

    Construction Area

    Usage

    Posted at construction sites; road works read "Yol Çalışması Var" and a shop under renovation reads "Tadilat Var"

17. Arızalı

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Posted on broken elevators, ATMs, or restroom stalls; may also read "Hizmet Dışı" (out of service)

Browse all TravelPhrases languages