Signs

1. Gelitaan

   Entrance

   Usage

   Marks the entrance to a building or site. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the dictionary defines it as the doorway by which one enters. Built on the verb gal (to enter).

2. Meesha laga baxo

   Exit

   Usage

   Marks the exit; literally "the place one leaves from". The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   Meesha is "the place" and laga baxo is the impersonal "one leaves from it". The Bible has the same shape in meelaha laga baxo.

3. Meesha laga baxo ee degdegga ah

   Emergency exit

   Usage

   Marks an emergency exit; literally "the exit for urgent leaving". The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   The exit wording plus ee degdegga ah (urgent). Degdeg also appears in gargaarka degdegga ah (first aid).

4. Furan

   Open

   Usage

   Shows that a shop or office is open. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   A stative word meaning open; the dictionary describes a door or window that has been opened. The opposite is xiran.

5. Xiran

   Closed

   Usage

   Shows that a shop or office is closed. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   A stative word meaning closed; the dictionary headword is xiran, and the Bible also spells it xidhan. The opposite is furan.

6. Rag

   Men

   Usage

   For a men's restroom or similar. The dictionary defines rag as a group of males. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   Rag is a collective for males. One man is nin.

7. Dumar

   Women

   Usage

   For a women's restroom or similar. The dictionary defines dumar as the female part of a population. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   Dumar is a collective for females. One woman is naag.

8. Ha gelin

   Do not enter

   Usage

   Marks a place you must not go into. The Bible has the same shape, "ha gelin" (do not enter). The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   Ha plus the verb stem and -n is a negative command to one person; to several people it takes -a: ha gelina.

9. Sigaar cabbid waa mamnuuc

   No smoking

   Usage

   A no-smoking notice; literally "smoking is forbidden". The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

   Grammar Note

   Cab means to drink and also to smoke; cabbid is its verbal noun. Mamnuuc means not permitted.

10. Jaranjaro

    Stairs

    Usage

    Points to the stairs. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun; the definite form is jaranjarada. The dictionary describes steps, originally stone, used to climb into a house.

11. Riix

    Push

    Usage

    A door sign meaning push. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of riix, to push; the dictionary describes forcing a heavy object to move.

12. Jiid

    Pull

    Usage

    A door sign meaning pull. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of jiid, to pull; the dictionary describes drawing something strongly toward oneself.

13. Dayactir baa socda

    Repairs in progress

    Usage

    Posted where something is under repair; literally "repair is going on". The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    Dayactir is repair (the dictionary: putting right what has gone wrong). Baa socda means "is going on", with baa focusing dayactir. The whole sentence is built from verified words.

14. Halis

    Danger

    Usage

    Marks a dangerous spot. The dictionary defines a situation that brings great harm. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. It can also describe a place in the form halis ah (dangerous).

15. Digniin

    Warning

    Usage

    A warning notice. The dictionary defines news that alerts people to coming harm so they can protect themselves. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. A separate entry of the same spelling is a synonym of digid (to warn).

16. Jaban

    Out of order

    Usage

    For broken equipment or a broken toilet. The dictionary defines the state of having broken. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A stative word meaning broken. It works for objects and fittings alike.

17. Bilaash

    Free of charge

    Usage

    For something free. The dictionary defines getting a thing without payment or condition. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun. The same spelling also means something useless, so context decides.

18. Ogeysiis

    Notice

    Usage

    Heads a posted notice. The dictionary defines news one wants to tell people. The wording is built from dictionary words; real signs may also be in English or Arabic.

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; the definite form is ogeysiiska.

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