Signs

1. Entrada

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; signs show it as "ENTRADA". On a price list the same word means the admission fee, and on a menu it means the starter — tell them apart by where it is posted

2. Saída

   Exit

   Usage

   Displayed at the exit of buildings, stations, and facilities; signs read "SAÍDA", keeping the accent even in capitals

3. Saída de emergência

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   The emergency exit sign, usually white on green next to the running-man pictogram; evacuation plans in hotels, planes and theatres print "SAÍDA DE EMERGÊNCIA"

4. Aberto

   Open

   Usage

   The hanging card on a shop or restaurant door meaning it is open; usually double-sided with "Fechado" on the back

5. Fechado

   Closed

   Usage

   The closed sign; Portugal most often prints "ENCERRADO", while Brazil uses "FECHADO"

6. Aberto ao público

   Open to the public

   Usage

   Posted at counters and doors of offices, banks and museums to say they are receiving visitors; the hours themselves appear under the heading "HORÁRIO DE FUNCIONAMENTO"

7. Fechado temporariamente

   Temporarily closed

   Usage

   The note taped to the door during a lunch break or refurbishment; Portugal writes "ENCERRADO TEMPORARIAMENTE"

8. Homens

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's side of a toilet or changing room; may also read "MASCULINO", "CAVALHEIROS", or just the letter H

9. Mulheres

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's side of a toilet or changing room; may also read "FEMININO", "SENHORAS", or the letter M or S

10. Entrada proibida

    No entry

    Usage

    Bars the public from an area; also seen as "PROIBIDA A ENTRADA", "ACESSO RESTRITO", or "SÓ PESSOAL AUTORIZADO"

11. Proibido fumar

    No smoking

    Usage

    The no-smoking notice in stations, shops and planes; identical in Portugal and Brazil, sometimes written "É PROIBIDO FUMAR"

12. Área de fumantes

    Smoking area

    Usage

    Marks where smoking is allowed (Brazil); Portugal signs it as "ZONA DE FUMADORES" or "ÁREA PARA FUMADORES"

13. Escadas

    Stairs

    Usage

    Points the way to the stairs; do not confuse it with "ESCADA ROLANTE" (escalator) or "ELEVADOR" (lift)

14. Empurre

    Push

    Usage

    Stuck on the glass or beside the handle of a door; the same word in Portugal and Brazil

15. Puxe

    Pull

    Usage

    The "pull" label on a door; it looks close to "Empurre" at a glance, so read carefully before shoving

16. Em obras

    Under construction

    Usage

    Marks an area closed for building or refurbishment; Portuguese street signs often just say "OBRAS"

17. Fora de serviço

    Out of order

    Usage

    Taped to a lift, ticket machine or ATM that is broken; Portugal also writes "AVARIADO" and Brazil "EM MANUTENÇÃO"

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