How to Sign "Are"
You will fingerspell this word since there is not a sign for it. You will spell it with each letter. A-R-E
Examples Using "Are" in a Sentence
1
Are you going to the store?
In natural ASL, you would typically just sign 'YOU GO STORE YOU?' but if you are practicing exact English word order, you would fingerspell A-R-E, point to the person for 'you', and then sign 'go' and 'store'.
2
We are happy.
Normally, an ASL signer simply signs 'WE HAPPY.' If you need to include the English verb for educational purposes, you would sign 'WE', smoothly fingerspell A-R-E, and then sign 'HAPPY'.
3
What are you doing?
The natural ASL translation uses the 'DO-DO' sign. However, to sign this exact English phrase word-for-word, you would sign 'WHAT', fingerspell A-R-E, point for 'YOU', and sign 'DOING'.
How to Sign "Are"
You will fingerspell this word since there is not a sign for it. You will spell it with each letter. A-R-E
Visual Logic(Etymology)
Because there is no conceptual ASL sign for the English 'to be' verb 'are', it relies entirely on the American manual alphabet. The shapes for A, R, and E trace their origins back to the manual alphabets developed by deaf educators in Spain and France centuries ago, which were later adapted into American Sign Language.
Signing Tips
When fingerspelling A-R-E, keep your hand steady in front of your shoulder area. Focus on smooth transitions rather than speed. Form the 'A' (fist with thumb on the side), smoothly lift and cross your index and middle fingers for the 'R', and then curl your fingers down to rest on your thumb for the 'E'. Keep your palm facing outward the entire time.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is bouncing their hand up and down for each letter while spelling A-R-E. Keep your wrist and arm still, letting only your fingers do the work. Another major mistake is assuming you must use 'are' in every sentence; remember that ASL usually drops 'to be' verbs entirely!
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Are" in a Sentence
1Are you going to the store?
In natural ASL, you would typically just sign 'YOU GO STORE YOU?' but if you are practicing exact English word order, you would fingerspell A-R-E, point to the person for 'you', and then sign 'go' and 'store'.
2We are happy.
Normally, an ASL signer simply signs 'WE HAPPY.' If you need to include the English verb for educational purposes, you would sign 'WE', smoothly fingerspell A-R-E, and then sign 'HAPPY'.
3What are you doing?
The natural ASL translation uses the 'DO-DO' sign. However, to sign this exact English phrase word-for-word, you would sign 'WHAT', fingerspell A-R-E, point for 'YOU', and sign 'DOING'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I always need to fingerspell 'are' when translating an English sentence?
Usually, no! In natural American Sign Language, 'to be' verbs like 'am', 'is', and 'are' are almost always dropped. You generally only fingerspell A-R-E if you are trying to sign exact English sentences or emphasize a specific grammatical point.
How do I transition smoothly between the letters A, R, and E?
Keep your palm facing forward and your hand in one place. Form the 'A', then simply lift and cross your index and middle fingers for 'R', and finally pull your fingers down to rest on your thumb for 'E' without moving your wrist or bouncing your arm.
Is there a specific sign for 'are' besides fingerspelling?
No, there is no true ASL sign for the word 'are'. While some English-based signing systems (like Signed Exact English) might invent a sign for it, in authentic ASL, you will always fingerspell A-R-E if you absolutely need to include the word.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!