There is song in English with a chorus that goes like this:

有首英文歌是這么唱的：

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign?, Blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind, ?Do this, don’t do that, can’t you read the sign?

標語！標語！到處都是標語！大煞風景，頭昏腦脹。干這個！別干那個！你難道看不懂標語嗎？

This song is very fitting because today’s post is about signs in English, signs that you will see on the road while driving or when walking down a street. Many of these signs are self explanatory, because the symbols or pictures used are obvious, to get a message across to everyone, even if they can’t read. However, let’s take a closer look at the signs in the picture below, so you can fully understand what they mean in case you come across one of them in America。

這首歌非常適合這篇文章的主題——英文中的標志。你可以在開車、散步的時候看到這些標志。大部分標志一目了然，因為所使用的標記或是圖片非常明顯，就算不識字，每個人都能看懂它傳達的信息。不過，讓我們仔細看看下列標志，這樣當你碰上它們就可以完全理解了。

Starting with the top row, on the left side, we have a:

從第一排左邊開始：

stop sign– When you see this sign you will have to come to a complete stop in your car or bike before you continue moving forward。

停車標志——看到這個標志，開車或是騎車都要停下來，不能再往前走。

yield sign– This sign indicates that you need to slow down, but you may not have to come to a full stop。

讓行標志——這個標志提醒你要減速，但不用停下來。

crosswalk – This is a sign that indicates people have the right of way to cross the street, so cars have to stop when they see a person waiting next to one of these signs。

人行道——這個標志提示行人可以穿過街道，看到行人在一旁等待，車輛需要停下。

turning– This sign indicates that the road is turning ahead, so be careful。

轉彎——這個標志提示前方道路有彎道，小心駕駛。

hill– This sign indicates you are about to approach a hill。

下坡——這個標志提示前方下坡。

Pitch it!– If you are looking for the nearest garbage or trash can, keep an eye out for this sign, it will often indicate a public garbage can is nearby。

垃圾桶——如果你在找最近的垃圾桶，留意這個標志，這表示附近有垃圾桶。

Second row:第二行

speed limit– When driving in the United States you will have to watch out for speed limit signs as the speed limit changes frequently depending on where you are driving; the number on this sign indicates the maximum miles per hour you can drive in that area。

限速——在美國開車，你要當心限速標志。因為開車地點不同，速度限制經常會變化。標志上的數字表示你在這一區域的最大時速。

do not enter– This sign indicates you are not allowed to enter a road at that point。

禁止通行——這一標志標明你不能進入這條路。

dead end– This means that a road is ending and there will be no other roads ahead to turn on。

此路不通——這表示路已經到盡頭了，前方沒有別的路了。

Buckle up!– There are often signs on roads in the United States reminding people that wearing seat belts is mandatory (seat belts laws differ depending on what state you are in, but all US states have seatbelt laws)。

系好安全帶！——在美國公路上通常有這個標志。提醒人們系好安全帶是法定義務(安全帶法在不同州有所不同，但是美國所有州都有安全帶法律。)

construction– This sign indicates there is construction happening in the area and that you should slow down and be careful。

施工中——這一標志說明這一區域正在進行施工活動，你應當減速，小心行駛。

one way– This sign indicates which direction traffic is flowing when cars are only allowed to drive in one direction。

單行道——這一標志標明車輛只能按標志上的方向單向行駛。

Third row:第三行：

no u-turns– This sign indicates that u-turns are not allowed at the intersection where the sign is posted。

不準掉頭——這個標志說明在標志所在的路口不準掉頭。

deer– If you see this sign you need to watch out for wildlife。

野生動物出沒——如果你看到這個標志，要注意野生動物。

be alert for bears– This is another sign that is used to indicate to drivers (and pedestrians) that they should be alert for wildlife in the area。

熊出沒——這是另外一個提醒司機(和行人)小心這一地區的野生動物的標志。

playground– This is the sign used to alert drivers that there is a playground nearby, so it is a good idea to slow down and watch for children。

游樂園標志——這個標志提醒司機附近有游樂場，減速并當心兒童。

parking– The letter P is often used to stand in for the word ‘parking’ on signs where parking is allowed or prohibited。

停車場——標志上的字母P代表停車，表示是否可以停車。

hurricane evacuation route – This sign indicates what direction to drive in case of an emergency; similar signs may say ‘snow emergency route’ or ‘emergency evacuation route.’

颶風疏散路線——這一標志表示如果發生緊急事件行駛路線。類似的有“雪天應急路線”或“緊急疏散路線”。

(來源：滬江英語，編輯：劉明)