公園のルールを守ってください。

Pictures can often tell a story well enough that you can understand the meaning. Although, sometimes a picture creates more confusion and ambiguity about what is happening and what you are suppose to do. Japan is really good at making signs like that. Yet, I wouldn't want to have it any other way.

Let's look at this sign, you should recognize the Kanji 公園 as Park and the Kanji in front is 神田 (かんだ). There are many 神田公園 parks in Japan, and this particular one is in Amagasaki, Hyogo.

ルール - Rules

を - Subject and Verb Linking Particle

守って (まもって) - Guard, Protect, Obey

楽しい (たのしい) - Fun, Exciting

公園 - Park

Translation: Obey the rules for a fun, exciting park

樹木 (じゅもく) - Trees

を

大切 (おおぎり) - Big Cut

Translation: Cut off limbs.

家庭 (かてい) - Household, Family

の

ゴミ - Trash

すて - Throw away

Translation: Throw away your trash from home.

迷惑 (めいわく) - Annoying, Trouble, Inconvenience

犬 (いぬ) - Dog

の - Possessive Particle

散歩 (さんぽ) - Walk, Stroll

Translation: Walk your troublesome dog.

大人 (おとな) - Adult, Grown-up

硬球 (こうきゅう) - Hard ball

等 (など) - Etc.

野球 (やきゅう) - Baseball

Translation: Play grown-up hard ball like baseball.

危険な (きけんな) - Dangerous, Risky

花火 (はなび) - Fireworks

Translation: Dangerous fireworks.

はずかしい - Embarrassing, Private

干し物 (ほしもの) - Things dried in the sun (clothes, blankets, etc.)

Translation: Dry your embarrassing possessions.

みんな - Everyone

の

公園

みんな

で - Location Particle

きれいに - Keep Beautiful

Translation: This is everyone's park. Keep it clean!

It is implied that you DON'T do these things even though they never use the negative -ない with any of the verbs or adjectives. The frowning faces of the Still the one picture for はずかしい干し物, looks as if YOU CAN do it, and somebody probably has hung their dirty underwear in the park. 気味悪い！

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