Signs

1. Trasuta

   Entrance

   Usage

   The Sicilian word for an entrance. Printed signs are normally Italian (INGRESSO / ENTRATA); this word is the one you hear in speech

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun formed from the verb tràsiri (to enter); its opposite is nisciuta (exit)

2. Nisciuta

   Exit

   Usage

   The Sicilian word for an exit. Printed signs are normally Italian (USCITA)

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun formed from the verb nèsciri (to go out); its opposite is trasuta (entrance)

3. Nisciuta di sicurizza

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   A way of saying emergency exit. The printed sign is Italian (USCITA DI SICUREZZA), marked by a green pictogram

   Grammar Note

   Literally "exit of safety". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Apertu

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   Says a shop is open. The flip sign on a shop door is normally Italian (APERTO)

   Grammar Note

   An adjective, plural aperti. "Are you open?" is Siti aperti?

5. Chiusu

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   Says a shop is closed. The sign on the door is normally Italian (CHIUSO)

   Grammar Note

   An adjective whose opposite is apertu; the plural is chiusi

6. Tornu sùbbitu

   Back Soon

   Usage

   The equivalent of the handwritten note a shopkeeper leaves when stepping out. The sign is normally Italian (TORNO SUBITO)

   Grammar Note

   Sùbbitu also works on its own as "at once". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. Òmini

   Men

   Usage

   Names the men's restroom. In practice the sign is Italian (UOMINI / SIGNORI) or just a pictogram

   Grammar Note

   The plural of omu (man). Stressed on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written

8. Donni

   Women

   Usage

   Names the women's restroom. In practice the sign is Italian (DONNE / SIGNORE) or just a pictogram

   Grammar Note

   The plural of donna (woman), with the ending changing from -a to -i. Be careful not to mix it up with the men's door

9. Vietatu tràsiri

   No Entry

   Usage

   Says that entry is forbidden. The printed sign is normally Italian (VIETATO L'INGRESSO)

   Grammar Note

   A prohibition is formed with "forbidden" plus the infinitive. Tràsiri is stressed on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

10. Vietatu fumari

    No Smoking

    Usage

    Says smoking is not allowed. Indoor smoking is banned in Italy, and the sign is normally Italian (VIETATO FUMARE)

    Grammar Note

    A prohibition is "forbidden plus infinitive" (Vietatu tràsiri follows the same pattern). Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

11. Scali

    Stairs

    Usage

    Names a flight of stairs. Station signs are Italian (SCALE), and an escalator is SCALE MOBILI

    Grammar Note

    Stairs are named in the plural (singular scala)

12. Spìnciri

    Push

    Usage

    The verb for pushing a door. The label on the door is normally Italian (SPINGERE)

    Grammar Note

    The infinitive serves as the instruction. Stressed on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written

13. Tirari

    Pull

    Usage

    The verb for pulling a door. The label on the door is normally Italian (TIRARE)

    Grammar Note

    The infinitive serves as the instruction. Tirari also means "to throw", so outside doors the context decides

14. Travagghi in cursu

    Work in Progress

    Usage

    Says that works are under way. Road and site signs are normally Italian (LAVORI IN CORSO)

    Grammar Note

    The plural of travagghiu (work); the sound is spelt gghi, not gl. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

15. Ruttu

    Out of Order

    Usage

    Says that a machine or lift is broken. The notice is normally Italian (GUASTO / FUORI SERVIZIO)

    Grammar Note

    An adjective with the feminine form rutta; it agrees with the gender of the thing that is broken

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