How do native speakers "read" single-kanji signs when those kanji are not also standalone words?


In my time in Japan I've noticed a few kanji that can be used on their own
commonly in various kinds of signs, yet I don't think they are also words in
their own right:

  * 押
  * 引
  * 危
  * 開
  * 閉

Since all kanji have multiple readings, I keep wondering how native speakers
read these, or talk about them.

In fact for 危 I'm also interested in what they read it semantically. Is it
"dangerous", or "watch out" or "caution" - or does it not really matter until
you try to put it into words?




Of course the signs are primarily meant to be seen & understood, rather than
read.

I think the signs, if they had to be read (as in "It says X here"), would be
read as literally as possible

> 押 おす  
>  引 ひく  
>  男 おとこ  
>  女 おんな  
>  危 あぶない きけん  
>  開 あける あく ひらく  
>  閉 しめる しまる とじる  
>  酒 さけ

The only odd one out is 危, but 危険 and 危ない are practically interchangeable in
most situations. (Depending on the train operator, you'll hear 危ないですから... or
危険ですから..., when being warned about an incoming train.) The word is sometimes
written as [危険]{あぶない} at railway crossings. So, 危 allows you to choose
according to context. (Of course, the main difference being that 危ない is more
easily understood by small children and a tad less formal than 危険.)




Of course the signs are primarily meant to be seen & understood, rather than
read.

I think the signs, if they had to be read (as in "It says X here"), would be
read as literally as possible

> 押 おす  
>  引 ひく  
>  男 おとこ  
>  女 おんな  
>  危 あぶない きけん  
>  開 あける あく ひらく  
>  閉 しめる しまる とじる  
>  酒 さけ

The only odd one out is 危, but 危険 and 危ない are practically interchangeable in
most situations. (Depending on the train operator, you'll hear 危ないですから... or
危険ですから..., when being warned about an incoming train.) The word is sometimes
written as [危険]{あぶない} at railway crossings. So, 危 allows you to choose
according to context. (Of course, the main difference being that 危ない is more
easily understood by small children and a tad less formal than 危険.)

