ASL Study Notes - Words & Signs - 08/11/2025
August 11, 2025•548 words
Legend
2H = both hands
DH = dominant hand
OH = other/non-dominant hand
DS = dominant side
OS = other/non-dominant side
'X' = handshape
f = fingers
fs = fingerspell
ft = fingertips
hs = handshape
Words
| WORD | SIGN |
|---|---|
| Letter (written message in mail) | 2H '10' DH thumb from chin to OH thumb OR "MAIL" |
| Letter (alphabetical) | 2H '10' tap thumbs together 2x OR fs "ABC" |
| less (less less) | DH bent '5' palm down start above OH '5' palm up. Move DH down towards OH amount expressed (and repeat if wanted) |
| sound (vibrations in air) | DH 'D' forefinger point to DS ear, move away and open into open '5' and wiggle |
| politics | DH 'P' rest middle f on DS temple, move away slightly, circle and touch temple |
| government | DH 'D' rest index f on DS temple, move away slightly, circle and touch temple |
| philosophy | DH 'P' near DS temple, move slight circle |
| pants | 2H closed '5' palms facing each other about leg width apart. Start near top of legs, then move downwards together aligned with each leg |
| shoes, boots | 2H 'S' knock index sides together 2x. "Boots" use 2H 'B'. |
| shirt | 2H 'F' pinch upper fronts of shirt and bounce 2x |
| dress | 2H open '5' palms facing in near chest, swoop downwards then palms face down/out |
| skirt | Same hs as "dress", but movement is shorter and faster, end swoop with arms fully extended and palms face down |
| pull | 2H 'C' palms face up. OH starts in front of DH, then move 2H backwards and close to 'S'. Like pulling a rope |
| pig | DH '5' under chin, palm down. Curl f downwards 2x. |
| confirm/promise | DH '1' forefinger touch chin, then open to open '5' downwards on top of OH 'S' index side |
| ignore | DH '4' index at nose, then fling away to the DS space. Look away. |
| shorts | 2H bent closed '5' tap pinky sides near top of waist (indicating ends of shorts) |
| serious/severe | DH '1' rest forefinger chin twist DS > OS, matching facial expression |
| medium/moderate | DH 'B' palm facing OS taps twice/slides left & right on OH 'B' palm face down index side |
| picnic | 2H closed '5' slide palms against each other forward and back 2x |
| sunscreen | DH action rubbing sunscreen on OH arm. Can sign "SUN" before |
| sunset | DH open 'F' sign "DAY" move thumb & forefinger circle down in front of OH arm. Like sun setting. |
| fun-fair | 2H bent 'V' alternate circles forward, palms down |
| mouse | DH '1' forefinger brushes against nose towards OS 2x |
| frequency (Hz) | OH '5' palm facing self, thumb up. DH '1' point to thumb, then move to DS as bouncing hand up and down (like a waveform) |
Signs
| SIGN | WORD |
|---|---|