How to Sign "Airport"

To sign 'airport', form your dominant hand into the 'airplane' handshape by extending your thumb, index finger, and pinky finger, while keeping your middle and ring fingers curled into your palm. Hold your hand in front of your chest with the palm facing down. Move your hand in a small horizontal circle to represent the location where airplanes operate.

Examples Using "Airport" in a Sentence

1

I am driving to the airport.

To sign this, you would sign 'I', 'DRIVE', and then finish with the sign for 'AIRPORT'.

2

The airport is very crowded today.

Establish the time and place by signing 'TODAY' and 'AIRPORT', then follow up with 'VERY' and 'CROWDED'.

3

What time do we leave for the airport?

Sign 'TIME', 'WE', 'LEAVE', 'AIRPORT', and 'WHAT', making sure to furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'wh' question.

How to Sign "Airport"
To sign 'airport', form your dominant hand into the 'airplane' handshape by extending your thumb, index finger, and pinky finger, while keeping your middle and ring fingers curled into your palm. Hold your hand in front of your chest with the palm facing down. Move your hand in a small horizontal circle to represent the location where airplanes operate.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'airport' is built directly upon the sign for 'airplane'. The handshape itself is highly iconic, with the extended thumb, index, and pinky fingers visually representing the wings and fuselage of a plane. Adding a circular motion is a common ASL grammatical feature used to indicate a location or area associated with the base noun.
Signing Tips
Make sure your palm is facing down toward the ground, not forward. The circular motion should be relatively small and horizontal, originating mostly from your wrist and forearm rather than your shoulder.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often forget to extend their index finger, accidentally using the 'Y' handshape instead of the correct 'airplane' handshape. Another common error is making the circular movement too large and exaggerated, which can look unnatural.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Airport" in a Sentence
1

I am driving to the airport.

To sign this, you would sign 'I', 'DRIVE', and then finish with the sign for 'AIRPORT'.

2

The airport is very crowded today.

Establish the time and place by signing 'TODAY' and 'AIRPORT', then follow up with 'VERY' and 'CROWDED'.

3

What time do we leave for the airport?

Sign 'TIME', 'WE', 'LEAVE', 'AIRPORT', and 'WHAT', making sure to furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'wh' question.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell the difference between 'airplane' and 'airport'?

While both use the exact same handshape, the movement is what sets them apart. 'Airplane' typically uses a short, repeated forward motion or a single forward swoop to show flight. 'Airport' uses a small, continuous horizontal circle to indicate a specific place.

Should I use my right or left hand?

You should always use your dominant hand to sign 'airport'. If you are right-handed, use your right hand; if you are left-handed, use your left hand. Keep your non-dominant hand resting.

Why do I need to keep my middle and ring fingers curled?

Curling your middle and ring fingers creates the specific 'airplane' handshape. If you leave them extended, it becomes a '5' handshape, and if you only extend the thumb and pinky, it becomes a 'Y' handshape. Using the wrong handshape can confuse the meaning of the sign.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!