Signs

1. Mlango wa kuingia

   Entrance

   Usage

   Marks the entrance to a building or facility; the actual sign is usually English "ENTRANCE" or "WAY IN", and Swahili signs often shorten it to just "INGIA" (enter)

2. Mlango wa kutoka

   Exit

   Usage

   Marks the exit; most signs read English "EXIT", and Swahili signs may shorten it to "TOKA" (go out)

3. EMERGENCY EXIT

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   Emergency exits in Tanzania and Kenya are marked in English with a green pictogram; the Swahili "NJIA YA DHARURA" is rarely posted

4. OPEN

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   The flip sign on a shop door; in East Africa this one is almost always English. The Swahili equivalents are "WAZI" (open) and "TUMEFUNGULIWA" (we have opened)

5. CLOSED

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   The other side of the shop door flip sign, also normally English; the Swahili is "IMEFUNGWA" (it is closed)

6. Tupo wazi

   We Are Open

   Usage

   Painted on shop and eatery banners to say they are open now; unlike the English door plate, this one is written in Swahili. "TUNAFANYA KAZI SAA 24" means open 24 hours

7. Tumefungwa kwa muda

   Temporarily Closed

   Usage

   Swahili has no exact equivalent of a "preparing / back shortly" plate; this is the closest posted wording, and a handwritten English "BACK SOON" is just as common

8. Wanaume

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men’s restroom; Swahili is usual in Tanzania (sometimes shortened to "WAUME"), while Kenya mostly posts English "GENTS" or "MEN"

9. Wanawake

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women’s restroom; Kenya mostly posts English "LADIES"

10. Marufuku kuingia

    No Entry

    Usage

    Posted on restricted areas, sometimes as the single word "MARUFUKU" (forbidden); English "NO ENTRY" and "AUTHORISED PERSONNEL ONLY" carry the same meaning

11. Marufuku kuvuta sigara

    No Smoking

    Usage

    No-smoking sign indoors and in restaurants; also seen as the imperative "USIVUTE SIGARA" (do not smoke). English "NO SMOKING" is the more common posting

12. SMOKING AREA

    Smoking Area

    Usage

    Designated smoking areas at airports and hotels are labelled in English essentially without exception; the Swahili "SEHEMU YA KUVUTA SIGARA" is almost never posted

13. Ngazi

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign for stairs inside buildings; English "STAIRS" is just as common. Note "ngazi" also means a ladder and a rank or level, so check the context outside signage

14. PUSH

    Push

    Usage

    Door plates in East Africa are almost always English; the Swahili would be "SUKUMA"

15. PULL

    Pull

    Usage

    The "pull" door plate, also normally English; the Swahili is "VUTA", a verb that also means to smoke or to attract

16. Matengenezo yanaendelea

    Works in Progress

    Usage

    Posted where a road or facility is closed for repairs; building sites read "UJENZI UNAENDELEA", and Kenyan road signs usually say English "ROAD WORKS AHEAD"

17. Haifanyi kazi

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Taped to broken elevators, ATMs, and restroom stalls; also written "IMEHARIBIKA" (it is broken). English "OUT OF ORDER" is equally common

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