Signs

1. Sisäänkäynti

   Entrance

   Usage

   Displayed at the entrance of buildings, stations, and facilities; signs read "SISÄÄNKÄYNTI" with the Swedish "INGÅNG" beside it

2. Uloskäynti

   Exit

   Usage

   Displayed at exits; signs read "ULOSKÄYNTI / UTGÅNG" in both national languages, and it doubles as a directional sign in the metro

3. Hätäuloskäynti

   Emergency exit

   Usage

   Emergency exit sign with the white-on-green running-man pictogram; labelled "HÄTÄULOSKÄYNTI / NÖDUTGÅNG"

4. Auki

   Open (door sign)

   Usage

   The "OPEN" side of the flip sign on a shop door; the Swedish half reads "ÖPPET". The same word also describes a door that is physically ajar

5. Suljettu

   Closed (door sign)

   Usage

   The "CLOSED" side of a shop door sign; the Swedish half reads "STÄNGT". The shorter "KIINNI" is equally common, and both mark closing days in an opening-hours notice

6. Avoinna

   Open (business hours)

   Usage

   Heads the opening-hours notice, e.g. "AVOINNA ma–pe 9–18"; the Swedish line reads "ÖPPET". Day abbreviations: ma Mon, ti Tue, ke Wed, to Thu, pe Fri, la Sat, su Sun

7. Suljettu tilapäisesti

   Temporarily closed

   Usage

   Finnish has no exact equivalent of Japanese "junbichuu" — this is the closest. A lunch break is posted as "Suljettu lounasaikaan" and a short absence as "Palaan pian"; the Swedish line reads "TILLFÄLLIGT STÄNGT"

8. Miehet

   Men

   Usage

   Marks the men's restroom; the Swedish half reads "HERRAR". Also written "MIEHILLE" or just the initial "M"

9. Naiset

   Women

   Usage

   Marks the women's restroom; the Swedish half reads "DAMER". Sometimes only the initial "N" appears — one letter away from the men's "M", so read carefully. A unisex toilet is simply labelled "WC"

10. Pääsy kielletty

    No entry

    Usage

    Posted on doors and areas closed to the public as "PÄÄSY KIELLETTY", with the Swedish "TILLTRÄDE FÖRBJUDET". "Ei pääsyä" and "Vain henkilökunnalle" (staff only) mean the same

11. Tupakointi kielletty

    No smoking

    Usage

    No-smoking sign in stations, indoors, and on restaurant terraces; the Swedish line reads "RÖKNING FÖRBJUDEN". A smoke-free building is signed "SAVUTON"

12. Tupakointipaikka

    Smoking area

    Usage

    Marks a designated smoking area at airports and stations; the Swedish line reads "RÖKPLATS". Indoor smoking is banned outright in Finland, so these are usually outdoors

13. Portaat

    Stairs

    Usage

    Directional sign pointing to stairs, with the Swedish "TRAPPOR". A lift is "HISSI" (Swedish HISS) and an escalator is "LIUKUPORTAAT" (RULLTRAPPA)

    Grammar Note

    Always plural; the singular "porras" means a single step

14. Työnnä

    Push

    Usage

    Sign on a door meaning push to open; shown as "TYÖNNÄ" with the Swedish "TRYCK"

    Grammar Note

    Singular imperative of työntää (to push); unlike Swedish, the sign wording and the spoken form are identical

15. Vedä

    Pull

    Usage

    Sign on a door meaning pull to open; shown as "VEDÄ" with the Swedish "DRA"

    Grammar Note

    Singular imperative of vetää (to pull); the verb has slang senses, but on a door plate it only ever means pull

16. Työmaa

    Construction site

    Usage

    Posted on hoardings around building work, with the Swedish "BYGGARBETSPLATS"; roadworks use a different word, "TIETYÖ" (VÄGARBETE)

17. Ei käytössä

    Out of order

    Usage

    Posted on lifts, ticket machines, or toilets that are not working; the Swedish line reads "UR FUNKTION". Also written "EPÄKUNNOSSA" or "RIKKI"

    Grammar Note

    Literally "not in use" — it covers both a breakdown and a temporary closure

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