The Blog

One of my favorite things about living in China is encountering signs that have been poorly translated into English, or what we 外国人 (“waiguoren”—foreigners) like to call “Chinglish.” Below, the single best Chinglish sign I’ve seen in Shenzhen:

It reads:

Fire should remain calm and rational direction, the rapid withdrawal.

Due to sudden fires, in the face of heavy smoke and flames, it is first necessary to force himself to be calm and quick judgments dangerous place and a place of safety. The decision to escape as soon as possible withdrawal of danger. Do not blindly follow the crowd and mutual crowded, chaotic—rampant. Withdrawal to the attention of North Korea[?!] or the bright open area outside run, as much as possible to run floors below, if the channel has been blocking pyrotechnics. Back pyrotechnics should be left direction, Terrace, louvre, such as rooftops to escape outdoors.

Okay. Got it.

View all of the Chinglish signs I’ve run across here.

(Chinglish fire escape sign, originally uploaded by bridget.odonnell.)