Signs

1. Indawo yokungena

   Entrance

   Usage

   Marks the way into a building. Signs commonly pair it with English ENTRANCE and Afrikaans INGANG

2. Indawo yokuphuma

   Exit

   Usage

   Marks the way out. Signs commonly pair it with English EXIT and Afrikaans UITGANG

3. Ukuphuma okuphuthumayo

   Emergency exit

   Usage

   Marks the escape route. It appears as EMERGENCY EXIT with the green running-figure pictogram

4. Kuvuliwe

   Open

   Usage

   The card hung at a shop or office door. The sign usually reads OPEN

5. Kuvaliwe

   Closed

   Usage

   Shows a shop or office is shut. The sign usually reads CLOSED

6. Abesilisa

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's toilet. South African toilet signs often carry the isiZulu word itself

7. Abesifazane

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's toilet, usually alongside WOMEN or LADIES

8. Akungenwa

   No entry

   Usage

   Posted on private land, building sites and staff-only doors, usually as NO ENTRY

9. Akubhenywa

   No smoking

   Usage

   Airports, filling stations and hospitals, usually as NO SMOKING

10. Ingozi

    Danger

    Usage

    Warns of electricity, falling rock or building work. Signs usually read DANGER and GEVAAR alongside it

11. Izitebhisi

    Stairs

    Usage

    Points to the stairs, usually written STAIRS

12. Sunduza

    Push

    Usage

    The instruction stuck on a door, usually PUSH or Afrikaans STOOT

13. Donsa

    Pull

    Usage

    The instruction stuck on a door, usually PULL or Afrikaans TREK

14. Kusetshenzwa lapha

    Work in progress

    Usage

    Roadworks and building sites — your cue to detour. Signs usually read WORK IN PROGRESS or MEN AT WORK

15. Ayisebenzi

    Out of order

    Usage

    Stuck on broken ATMs, lifts and toilets, usually as OUT OF ORDER

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