Signs, Notices, and Menus

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read and understand common Japanese signs, notices, and basic restaurant menu items. You'll recognize key kanji and phrases used in public spaces and eateries.

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Japanese public spaces are filled with signs and notices that use a mix of kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Many are short, direct, and follow predictable patterns. Menus often list dishes with their names in kanji or katakana, plus prices. Understanding a few key characters and phrases will help you navigate confidently.

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1. Common Sign Kanji (Public Spaces)

These kanji appear on signs everywhere. Learn them as "word pictures."

Memory tip:

• 入口 = "enter mouth" (入 = enter, 口 = mouth/opening)入口
• 出口 = "exit mouth" (出 = exit)出口
• 禁止 = "forbid stop" – a strong "no" sign禁止

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2. Common Notice Phrases

These short phrases appear on signs in stations, shops, and streets.

Pattern note:

• 中 (chū) means "in the middle of" or "during."
  • 工事中 = during construction工事中
  • 営業中 = during business hours営業中
  • 準備中 = during preparation準備中
  中工事営業準

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3. Restaurant Menu Basics

Menus often list dishes by category. Key words:

Price reading tip:
Prices are usually in yen (円, en).円

• 500円 = go-hyaku en (500 yen)円
• 1,000円 = sen en (1,000 yen)円
• 1,200円 = sen ni-hyaku en (1,200 yen)円

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4. Useful Menu Phrases

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Example 1: Station sign

出口はこちらです。
Deguchi wa kochira desu.
The exit is this way.出口

Example 2: Restaurant notice

営業中　11:00～22:00
Eigyō-chū 11:00～22:00
Open for business 11:00–22:00営業中

Example 3: Menu order

ラーメンをください。
Rāmen o kudasai.
Please give me ramen.

Example 4: Caution sign

足元にご注意ください。
Ashimoto ni go-chūi kudasai.
Please watch your step.足元注意

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❌ Mistake: Confusing 入口 (iriguchi, entrance) with 出口 (deguchi, exit).
✅ Fix: Remember 入 (enter) has a "person entering" shape, while 出 (exit) looks like "two doors opening outward."入口出

❌ Mistake: Thinking 中 (chū) always means "inside."
✅ Fix: In signs, 中 after a noun means "in progress" (e.g., 工事中 = under construction, not "inside construction").中工事

❌ Mistake: Saying お願いします (onegai shimasu) when ordering at a counter.
✅ Fix: Use ください (kudasai) for direct ordering. Save お願いします for polite requests or when handing money.願

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Fill in the blanks:

1. You see a sign with 出口. You should go toward the ________.
   Answer: exit出口

   出口

2. A restaurant has a sign saying 準備中. Can you enter? ________
   Answer: No (it's preparing/not yet open)準備中

   準備中

3. You want to order udon noodles. You say:
   「うどんを________。」
   Answer: ください (kudasai)

4. A sign says 押す on a door. You should ________.
   Answer: push押

   押

5. You see 満員 on a parking lot. It means ________.
   Answer: full / no vacancy満員

   満員

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Summary:

• Key sign kanji: 入口, 出口, 非常口, 禁止, 押す, 引く, 開, 閉入口出非常禁
• Common notice phrases: ご注意ください, 営業中, 準備中, 工事中, 満員, 空席注意営業中準
• Menu basics: 定食, 丼, ラーメン, うどん, そば, 寿司, 天ぷら, 焼き鳥定食丼寿司天
• Ordering: Use ください or お願いします願
• Price reading: 円 (en) = yen円

Next Step:
Practice reading real signs from photos of Japan (try searching "Japanese signs" online). Then move on to learning numbers and counters for ordering quantities (e.g., 一つ hitotsu, 二つ futatsu). You'll be ready to order food and navigate confidently!一二