Signs

1. ވަންނަ ދޮރު

   Vanna dhoru

   Entrance

   Usage

   The Dhivehi wording on entrances to offices and shops; resorts and the airport use English "ENTRANCE"

2. ނުކުންނަ ދޮރު

   Nukunna dhoru

   Exit

   Usage

   The Dhivehi wording on exits from offices and shops; resorts and the airport use English "EXIT"

3. ކުއްލި ހާލަތުގައި ނުކުންނަ ދޮރު

   Kulli haalathugai nukunna dhoru

   Emergency Exit

   Usage

   The Dhivehi wording. In practice Maldivian fire-safety signage is a green pictogram with the English words EMERGENCY EXIT, so this phrasing is almost never the one posted

4. ހުޅުވިފައި

   Hulhuvifai

   Open

   Usage

   Sign showing a shop or office is open; English "OPEN" signs are used alongside it

5. ބަންދު

   Bandhu

   Closed

   Usage

   The commonest Dhivehi word for closed; also used on public-holiday notices

6. ޚިދުމަތް ދެމުންދަނީ

   Khidhumath dhemundhanee

   Open for business

   Usage

   Posted at bank and government counters to say service is currently being provided — more formal than a door sign

7. ނަމާދު ވަގުތު ބަންދު

   Namaadhu vaguthu bandhu

   Closed for prayer time

   Usage

   There is no Maldivian equivalent of a "preparing" sign; instead shops close for about 15 minutes at each of the five daily prayers and post this

8. ފިރިހެން

   Firihen

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's side of a toilet or mosque entrance

9. އަންހެން

   Anhen

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's side of a toilet or mosque entrance

10. ވަނުން މަނާ

    Vanun manaa

    No entry

    Usage

    Notices ending in "manaa" (prohibited) are the standard Maldivian prohibition format

11. ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިއުމާލުކުރުން މަނާ

    Dhunfathuge isthiumaalukurun manaa

    No smoking

    Usage

    Maldivian tobacco law requires Dhivehi signage, so this full formal wording is what is actually posted

12. ދުންފަތުގެ އިސްތިއުމާލުކުރާ ސަރަހައްދު

    Dhunfathuge isthiumaalukuraa sarahaddhu

    Smoking area

    Usage

    The Dhivehi wording; designated smoking areas at the airport and resorts are usually labelled with the English words SMOKING AREA

13. ސިޑި

    Sidi

    Stairs

    Usage

    Points the way to the stairs; older buildings in Malé sometimes label them in Dhivehi only

14. ކޮއްޕާ

    Koppaa

    Push

    Usage

    The "push" label on a door, though English "PUSH" is more commonly what is stuck there

15. ދަމާ

    Dhamaa

    Pull

    Usage

    The "pull" label on a door, though English "PULL" is more commonly what is stuck there

16. މަރާމާތު ކުރަނީ

    Maraamaathu kuranee

    Under construction / repair

    Usage

    Posted where work or repairs have closed off a passage or facility

17. ހަލާކުވެފައި

    Halaakuvefai

    Out of order

    Usage

    Often a handwritten notice on a lift or a toilet stall that is broken

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