读懂标志 详解英文中的标志

There is song in English with a chorus 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 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.

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。

yield 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。

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 intersection 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 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 prohibited.

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”。