There is song in English with a chorus¹ that goes like this:

有首英文歌是这么唱的：

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

标语！标语！到处都是标语！大煞风景，头昏脑胀。干这个！别干那个！你难道看不懂标语吗？

This song is very fitting² 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.

这首歌非常适合这篇文章的主题——英文中的标志。你可以在开车、散步的时候看到这些标志。大部分标志一目了然，因为所使用的标记或是图片非常明显，就算不识字，每个人都能看懂它传达的信息。不过，让我们仔细看看下列标志，这样当你碰上它们就可以完全理解了。

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

从第一排左边开始：

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.

停车标志——看到这个标志，开车或是骑车都要停下来，不能再往前走。

yield³ sign – This sign indicates that you need to slow down, but you may not have to come to a full stop.

让行标志——这个标志提醒你要减速，但不用停下来。

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——这个标志提示行人可以穿过街道，看到行人在一旁等待，车辆需要停下。

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

转弯——这个标志提示前方道路有弯道，小心驾驶。

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

下坡——这个标志提示前方下坡。

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，留意这个标志，这表示附近有垃圾桶。

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——在美国开车，你要当心限速标志。因为开车地点不同，速度限制经常会变化。标志上的数字表示你在这一区域的最大时速。

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

禁止通行——这一标志标明你不能进入这条路。

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

此路不通——这表示路已经到尽头了，前方没有别的路了。

Buckle⁴ up! – There are often signs on roads in the United States reminding people that wearing seat belts is mandatory⁵ (seat belts laws differ depending on what state you are in, but all US states have seatbelt laws).

系好安全带！——在美国公路上通常有这个标志。提醒人们系好安全带是法定义务（安全带法在不同州有所不同，但是美国所有州都有安全带法律。）

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

施工中——这一标志说明这一区域正在进行施工活动，你应当减速，小心行驶。

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

单行道——这一标志标明车辆只能按标志上的方向单向行驶。

Third row:

第三行：

no u-turns – This sign indicates that u-turns are not allowed at the intersection⁶ where the sign is posted.

不准掉头——这个标志说明在标志所在的路口不准掉头。

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

野生动物出没——如果你看到这个标志，要注意野生动物。

be alert⁷ 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.

熊出没——这是另外一个提醒司机（和行人）小心这一地区的野生动物的标志。

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.

游乐园标志——这个标志提醒司机附近有游乐场，减速并当心儿童。

parking – The letter P is often used to stand in for the word ‘parking’ on signs where parking is allowed or prohibited⁸.

停车场——标志上的字母P代表停车，表示是否可以停车。

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.’

飓风疏散路线——这一标志表示如果发生紧急事件行驶路线。类似的有“雪天应急路线”或“紧急疏散路线”。