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Practice

PAH and FISH for Results

PAH can mean finally or success. FISH connects with finish, done, or an action ending.

All Mouth Morphemes lessons
Close-up of an ASL signer showing an explosive PAH mouth for finally or success

Learn It

Start with the simple version, then practice it with real signs.

PAH has an explosive release. It often shows finally, success, or a goal reached after waiting.

FISH is connected to finish or done. It helps show that an action ended.

Both are result mouth morphemes. One feels like success or finally, and the other feels like done or finished.

PAHUse an explosive release for finally or success.
FISHUse the finish mouth movement when something is done.
ResultThese forms point to the outcome of an action.

Try It

Practice slowly. Make the mouth shape at the same time as the sign.

  1. Sign with PAH to show finally succeeded.
  2. Sign with to show done.
  3. Sign , with PAH to show the result after waiting.

Simple Examples

Read the ASL line first. A dark green pill names the mouth shape, not an extra sign.

ASL line . PAH mouth
MeaningFinally succeeded.
TipPAH gives the result a breakthrough feeling.
Mouth actionPAH mouthRelease the mouth shape explosively during SUCCESS.
ASL line . FISH mouth
MeaningThe homework is finished.
TipFISH connects to the action being done.
Mouth actionFISH mouthUse the finish mouth movement with FINISH.
ASL line , . PAH mouth
MeaningAfter a long wait, finally got it.
TipPAH shows the successful result after waiting.
Mouth actionPAH mouthUse PAH at the result, not during the whole wait.

Common Mistake

Do not use PAH for every finished action. PAH often has a finally or success feeling; FISH is closer to done.

Deeper Note

A little more grammar

A sharper finish mouth can show that a long or unpleasant process finally ended. Keep that nuance for later after basic PAH and FISH are clear.