“故障。请勿使用。”
Hi,

If a machine is broken and I need to put up a sign that says "Out of Order / Do Not Use", which is correct?
1) 故障。请勿使用。
2) 故障。禁止使用。
Or is there another way?

I also wanted to ask about the term "化妆室". Is it true that in Mainland China, it refers to a "dressing room" for actors, models, etc. in the backstage but in Taiwan, it refers to "restrooms (toilets)"?

What term do you use for a "fitting room"? For example, when you buy clothes at a store, there is usually a room where you can go in to try out the clothes before you buy them.

Thank you.

Question

“故障。请勿使用。”
Hi,

If a machine is broken and I need to put up a sign that says "Out of Order / Do Not Use", which is correct? 
1) 故障。请勿使用。
2) 故障。禁止使用。
Or is there another way?

I also wanted to ask about the term "化妆室". Is it true that in Mainland China, it refers to a "dressing room" for actors, models, etc. in the backstage but in Taiwan, it refers to "restrooms (toilets)"?

What term do you use for a "fitting room"? For example, when you buy clothes at a store, there is usually a room where you can go in to try out the clothes before you buy them.

Thank you.

Answer

1.2 The choice is the same, but 1 is more polite. If you want a place to try clothes, you can use 試衣間

Answer

Usually we will say ‘故障, 暫停使用’.   if you say 故障 請勿使用 or 禁止使用 it means you will never allow to use it , but in your case  the machine just temporary out of service  , so you can just say 暫停.

Answer

化妆室 comes from the English term "powder room" to mean a restroom for the women only.  It is a euphemism for polite company.  Just like in Chinese "hand washing room" 洗手間to mean toilet instead of using 厠所.

Answer

1. Basically you can say both but 請勿使用 (Please do not use) sounds more natural too me. 禁止使用 sounds pretty strong (forbid to use)

2. I am not sure about mainland China but it does refer to washroom or toilet in Taiwan in a polite way.

3. I will use 試衣間 (literally means try clothes room).

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Answer

1.  " 故障。请勿使用! "  is better.
2.  Yes,  "化妆室" in Mainland China, it refers to a "dressing room" .
3.  "fitting room" in Chinese is 试衣间.