準備中

準備(じゅんび) (junbi, “preparation”) + 中(ちゅう) (chū, “in”).

• IPA^(key): [d͡ʑɨ̃mbʲit͡ɕɨː]

準(じゅん)備(び)中(ちゅう) • (junbichū) 

1. of a shop, the state of being closed, that is, not open for business

This is often printed on signs hanging at the entrance of a shop or restaurant and is shown when the store is closed temporarily. The reverse says 営業中(えいぎょうちゅう) (eigyōchū, “open”). These signs are the Japanese equivalent of the English signs saying (Come in, we're) open and (Sorry, we're) closed.

• 営業中(えいぎょうちゅう) (eigyōchū, “open”)