Signs

1. പ്രവേശനം

   praveshanam

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at entrances of government offices, temples, and stations, usually alongside English "ENTRANCE" or "ENTRY"

2. പുറത്തേക്ക്

   purathekku

   Exit

   Usage

   Literally "to the outside"; Kochi Metro and airports post it bilingually with English "EXIT" or "WAY OUT"

3. EMERGENCY EXIT

   Emergency Exit

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   Green pictogram sign; in Kerala the English wording is the standard and the Malayalam അടിയന്തിര നിർഗമനം is rarely printed alongside

4. OPEN

   Open

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   Shop-door flip signs are almost always in English; the Malayalam equivalent is തുറന്നിരിക്കുന്നു (thurannirikkunnu)

5. CLOSED

   Closed

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   Shop-door flip signs are almost always in English; the Malayalam equivalent is അടച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു (adachirikkunnu)

6. തുറന്നിരിക്കുന്നു

   thurannirikkunnu

   Open for business

   Usage

   Written on shop boards and notices to say the place is currently open — more explanatory than the English "OPEN" flip sign

7. താൽക്കാലികമായി അടച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു

   thaalkkaalikamaayi adachirikkunnu

   Temporarily closed

   Usage

   Kerala has no fixed equivalent of the Japanese "junbichuu" plate; this is the wording taped to a shutter or door for a temporary closure

8. പുരുഷന്മാർ

   purushanmaar

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's public toilet; many doors carry only the English "GENTS" or "MEN"

9. സ്ത്രീകൾ

   sthreekal

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's public toilet; many doors carry only the English "LADIES" or "WOMEN"

10. പ്രവേശനം നിരോധിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു

    praveshanam nirodhichirikkunnu

    No Entry

    Usage

    Posted on doors and areas restricted to authorized people, usually with English "NO ENTRY"

11. പുകവലി നിരോധിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു

    pukavali nirodhichirikkunnu

    No Smoking

    Usage

    Posted at stations, government offices, and restaurants; smoking is banned in enclosed public places across India, so this sign is everywhere

12. SMOKING ZONE

    Smoking Zone

    Smoking Area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking area at airports and hotels; written in English only (Malayalam would be പുകവലിക്കാനുള്ള സ്ഥലം)

13. പടിക്കെട്ട്

    padikkettu

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign pointing to stairs in stations and buildings, usually with English "STAIRS"

14. PUSH

    Push

    Push

    Usage

    Door push/pull stickers are almost always English only; the Malayalam would be തള്ളുക (thalluka), which is rarely seen

15. PULL

    Pull

    Pull

    Usage

    Door push/pull stickers are almost always English only; the Malayalam would be വലിക്കുക (valikkuka), which is rarely seen

16. പണി നടക്കുന്നു

    pani nadakkunnu

    Work in progress

    Usage

    Posted at construction sites and blocked roads, often alongside English "WORK IN PROGRESS" or "MEN AT WORK"

17. OUT OF ORDER

    Out of Order

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Posted on lifts, ATMs, and toilet stalls; the English wording is standard, sometimes with a hand-written കേടാണ് (kedaanu)

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