ASL

again

Flatten out your leading hand. Bend your second hand at a right angle, then tap it against the middle of the palm of your first hand.

name

With both hands in "H" handshape, tap dominant hand extended fingers on top of opposite hand's extended fingers.

Deaf

1 handshape moves Index finger from ear to mouth.

understand

1 handshape pops up at temple and nodding.

don't understand

1 handshape pops up at temple and shaking head.

hearing

1 handshape sign circling forward horizontally just under bottom lip.

learn

Dominant hand 5 handshape picks up "knowledge" from non dominant hand (hand flat, palm facing up) and brings it up to forehead.

like

Starting with dominant hand B handshape on chest, bring middle finger and thumb together; move hand away from chest.

meaning

With v handshape on dominant hand and b handshape on non-dominant hand, touch dominant index and middle fingers to palm in vertical, then horizontal position.

meet

1 handshapes shoulder width apart and moved together to meet in the middle.

nice/clean

B handshapes, palms together, slide the top hand away from the body.

no

Pinch index/middle and thumb together.

sign

1 handshapes circle each other horizontally toward the speaker's body.

slow

Relaxed 5 handshape - face down fingertips of open hand trail up opposite forearm slowly.

student

Combination of the sign for "learn" and the unitialized sign for agent/person.

teacher

Combination of the sign for "teach" and the uninitialized sign for agent/person.

thank you

5 handshape -The hand moves out and down from the center of bottom lip.

yes

Closed fist moves up and down, like knocking on a door.

who

Modified X handshape - thumb on chin, crook index finger 2 or 3 times.

what

Loose 5 handshapes - palms up and move hands horizontally back and forth.

when

1 handshapes - dominant hand index finger traces a circle from tip of opposite index finger.

where

1 handshape - shake index finger.

why

Bent 5 handshape, fingers on forehead - hand moves away from head to make "Y".

girl

A hand shape - the extended thumb strokes the side of the jawbone.

boy/male

Grab an imaginary baseball cap on your forehead.

brother

L handshape - palm/thumb touching forehead moves to sit on top of opposite hand L handshape, at chest level.

sister

L handshape - extend your thumb and index fingers on both hands. Take your strong hand and start with your thumb under your jaw. Then move the strong hand and tap it down on top of your weak hand.

child/children

Signed by taking your dominant hand with palm facing down and bobbing your hand up and down in front of your body. The sign looks like you are patting a child on the head.

Looks like you are patting several children on the head. You take both hands out in front of you with palms facing down and bob the hands up and down in front of your body.

dad

5 handshape, thumb taps forehead twice.

mom

5 handshape, thumb taps chin twice.

parents

5 handshape, thumb taps forehead and then chin.

divorce

D handshapes begin with fingers together, move apart and circle away from each other.

marriage

C handshape - clasp hands together horizontally in front of chest.

grandpa

5 handshape, thumb on forehead - hand bounces out from face twice.

grandma

5 handshape, thumb on chin - hand bounces out from face twice.

have

Fingertips move in toward chest (one or both sides).

hey

5 handshape with palm facing downwards, arm fully extended, wave hand up and down.

how

With hands cupped, backs of fingers together, palms facing down - turn hands over so palms are facing up with questioning face.

how many

S handshapes face up then opening to bent 5 (claw) fingered positions with questioning face.

to live (address/usual residence)

L or A handshapes at waist, raise hands to top of chest.

single

1 handshape, circle upright finger.

spell

Wiggle all fingers and move hand horizontally.

work

A handshapes heel of first hand touching index knuckle of second than 2 or 3 times.

woman

5 handshape, thumb touching chin, moves down to touch thumb to chest.

man

5 handshape, the thumb touches the middle of the forehead then moves to the chest in the same position.

all

There are a few ways to sign:

1) B-handshape, back of strong hand facing toward shoulder, bring your hand around in a circle to indicate "the room" and place horizontally it (palm up) in the palm of your weak hand.

2) With L-handshape(s), sweep hand(s) out in a horizontal arc from your waist.

ask

1 handshape moves sideways and index finger curves to form x handshape.

bad

Starts with your dominant hand open with fingers touching and extended. Begin the sign motion with you middle finger touching your chin, then move your hand down and out ending with your palm facing outward.

good

Take your outstretched hand with fingers together. Start with your fingers on your chin and move your hand out and down in an arc, a bit like you are blowing out a kiss, but your hand is a little lower down.

bathroom

Make your hand into a T handshape. Hold the fist out and shake it around a little.

big

L handshape or C handshape, start close together and move hands farther apart. To emphasize, puff out cheeks.

small

Bring your hands together toward the center of your body while making your body small by pulling your shoulders in. To emphasize, make an "e" mouthform.

city

With fingertips together, one hand facing away and one facing toward the body, walk hands to the side, switching facing positions with each transition.

class

Signed by taking both your hands open, and starting with your thumbs and index fingers touching make a circle in the air, ending with your pinkies touching. You can remember the sign, because it looks like you are circling a whole group of people.

don't like

Take your strong hand and and touch your middle and ring fingers to your thumb, while extending your pinkie and index fingers. Starting with your hand at the opposite chest, move your hand away from your body extending all your fingers. The look of utter disdain is optional.

family

F handshapes, make a circle with your thumb and your index finger and extending your other three fingers. Start with the two circles on each hand touching and then circle the two hands around as if you were outlining a group of people.

favorite

Tap your middle finger on your chin. You take an open palm, indent your middle finger slightly and tap it on your chin.

fine

With a 5 handshape, touch your thumb to your chest.

from

Starting with 1 handshapes, index fingers touching, pull your dominant hand away and form an X handshape with it.

go

1 handshapes, point with both hands. This is a directional sign.

come

1 handshapes - starts with both your hands extended with index fingers pointing forward. Then bending your arms at the elbow you pull your fingers in toward your body.

better

Starting with B handshape over mouth, pull hand toward dominant side and form a thumbs up sign at the level of the chin.

best

Starting with B handshape over mouth, pull hand toward dominant side and form a thumbs up sign at the level of the forehead.

house

Outline shape of roof and walls. Extend your two hands, then starting at the roof, outline the slanting roof line - then the vertical walls (We don't usually outline the ground).

more

Flatten out your hands then bring your thumbs under to make an O shape. Then, bring your hands together and separate them repeatedly.

need/must

Starting with X handshape, drop hand from chest to waist level. The more forceful the drop, the more demanding the language (need vs. must).

school

Lower your dominant hand onto your base hand twice as if clapping.

so-so

With 5 handshape, flat in front of body at chest level, rotate hand from side.

think

With 1 handshape, point to head at temple or forehead.

raised

With flat hand horizontal at waist level, raise hand up to chest level.

want

Looks you are pulling something toward you. Place your hands out, with hands open and palms facing up, making your hands bent a little into a claw shape. Pull both your hands toward you.

don't want

Starting with your hands with palms upward, turn your hands over and push your hands away.

angry, mad

Make your dominant hand into a claw and bring it to your mouth. While making the hand motion make the facial expression for anger, squaring your jaw and tensing your facial muscles.

aunt

Make a fist with your thumb laying flat on top of the fist. Leading with the thumb, move your hand in a small circle near your cheek (but not touching).

baby

Cross your hands touching each elbow with the fingers from the opposite hands, as if you are cradling something in your arms. Then gently move your hands from side to side, as if rocking it.

bed

Put your two hands together, palm-to-palm. Then place your hands on an angle by the side of your head, and rest your head on your hands as if they were a pillow.

bedroom

Combines the ASL signs for bed and for room. You start by signing bed, bringing your two hands together with palms touching, and placing them by the side of your head as if they were a pillow. Then you sign room, by taking your two open hands palms facing each other and a few inches apart, and outlining the four sides of a room.

brush teeth

Make the motion of brushing your teeth back and forth with the index of your dominant hand.

cry

Make a sad face and trace imaginary tears using your index fingers. Start with your index finger extended, just below your eye, and move the index finger down your face.

With emotion based signs, making your face look unhappy and projecting real emotion helps people understand the meaning.

daughter

Combination of the signs for "girl" and "baby". With A-handshape, stroke the thumb of your strong hand from ear to chin and then cradle your arms and rock them back and forth as if cradling a baby.

excuse me/pardon me/forgive me

You set up the sign by taking your non-dominant hand palm facing the sky, then brush along your palm with the fingertips of the dominant hand.

feel

With open 5-handshape on strong hand, stroke middle finger from chest to shoulder.

friend

Hold out both of your index fingers hooked in a C-shape. Holding one hand with your C facing up, hook the second C into the first. Then reverse the position for the hands and do it again. It is like your fingers are best friends and giving each other a hug.

happy

Take your extended hand and brush it in little circles up your chest a couple of times.

help

Place your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant palm and move both hands upwards.

if/suppose

With the hand closed, pinky finger extended, tap the pinky finger twice at the outer corner of the eye.

idea

With the hand closed, pinky finger extended, start with the pink finger touching the temple and move the hand away from the head.

love

Make your hands into fists and cross your arms across your chest as if giving your self a big squeeze.

sad

Looks like you are making tears fall down your face. Take both hands with fingers outstretched, and pull them from above your eyes down to about chest level. With emotional signs, you should make facial expressions that match the sign.

son

Combination of the signs for boy and baby. Use your strong hand to grab the brim of an invisible cap at your forehead and then cradle your arms and rock them back and forth as if cradling a baby.

sorry

Make your hand into a fist and rub it in a circular motion across your chest.

stop

Our non-dominant hand is placed flat with palm up and our dominant hand hits the flat side of the non-dominant hand with hand extended, fingers together and palm visible. Imagine an ax or knife cutting something.

uncle

Extend your index finger and middle finger to make the ASL sign for U. Take the hand and move it in small circles to the side of your body at the level of your forehead.

wash

Made by making both hands into a fist, holding the two fists together, and twisting the two fists back and forth.

what-do

Starting with a G-handshape, with the backs of the hands facing down, pinch your thumb and index fingers together in front of you a few times.

can

A handshapes at rib height - thumbs facing one another and making a downward 'knock' motion.

car

Place your hands around an imaginary steering wheel. Then turn the wheel from side-to-side as if you were driving. Follow up by fingerspelling the word to indicate the vehicle type.

church/temple/mosque

Signed by tapping a C, T or M handshape on the back of the non-dominant wrist a few times.

computer

Signed by making your strong hand into a C-shape. Extend your weak arm, and stroke the C-shape along your weak arm.

doctor

M or D handshape, take your strong hand and touch it to the wrist of your weak hand. It is like you are taking a pulse.