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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ja-exit-sign

A sign in a Japanese station says 出口 (deguchi). What does it mean?

Exit, the way out.

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  1. Entrance
  2. Exit ✔
  3. Restroom

Why: 出 means go out and 口 means mouth or opening, so 出口 is the way out. Its opposite is 入口 (iriguchi), the entrance. Restroom signs say お手洗い or トイレ.

Huh, didn't know that: Kuchi (mouth) turns into guchi in deguchi, a common Japanese sound change called rendaku.

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How do eggs leave the highway? By going through the eggs-it.
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References

Answer: Exit. 出 means go out and 口 means mouth or opening, so 出口 is the way out. Its opposite is 入口 (iriguchi), the entrance. Restroom signs say お手洗い or トイレ.

  1. Wiktionary: 出口 en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%87%BA%E5%8F%A3
    exit ; outlet
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Wiktionary: 入口 en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E5%85%A5%E5%8F%A3
    entrance
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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