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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/zh-nan-nv-signs

Which Chinese sign pair marks men's and women's restrooms?

Nán (男) means men, and nǚ (女) means women.

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  1. zuǒ (左) and yòu (右)
  2. rùkǒu (入口) and chūkǒu (出口)
  3. nán (男) and nǚ (女) ✔

Why: Nán (男) means male or men, and nǚ (女) means female or women. These single characters appear on most public restroom doors.

Huh, didn't know that: Nǚ (女) can also mean daughter.

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Why did the restroom signs break up? They needed space.
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References

Answer: nán (男) and nǚ (女). Nán (男) means male or men, and nǚ (女) means female or women. These single characters appear on most public restroom doors.

  1. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 男 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E7%94%B7
    (bound form) male
    Checked 2026-10-12.
  2. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary: 女 www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdrst=0&wdqb=%E5%A5%B3
    female / woman / daughter
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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