How to Sign "Balance"

To sign "balance," hold both hands in front of your chest with flat handshapes and your palms facing down. Position one hand slightly higher than the other. Move your hands up and down in a smooth, alternating motion. As your right hand goes up, your left hand should go down, and vice versa. Repeat this movement a couple of times, mimicking the shifting pans of a traditional weighing scale finding its equilibrium.

Examples Using "Balance" in a Sentence

1

She has excellent balance.

To express this, you would sign 'balance' to describe her physical stability and coordination. The smooth, alternating motion of your hands perfectly captures the idea of staying steady.

2

It is important to eat a balanced diet.

Use the sign for 'balance' here to describe eating a healthy, well-proportioned mix of foods. It visually represents weighing your daily food choices equally.

3

I am trying to balance my work and school schedules.

Sign 'balance' to show how you are weighing and managing two different, competing priorities in your life. The alternating hands represent juggling the two responsibilities.

How to Sign "Balance"
To sign "balance," hold both hands in front of your chest with flat handshapes and your palms facing down. Position one hand slightly higher than the other. Move your hands up and down in a smooth, alternating motion. As your right hand goes up, your left hand should go down, and vice versa. Repeat this movement a couple of times, mimicking the shifting pans of a traditional weighing scale finding its equilibrium.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "balance" is highly iconic and visually intuitive. It directly represents a traditional two-pan weighing scale. Your flat hands act as the two pans of the scale, and the alternating up-and-down movement beautifully illustrates the physical process of the scale shifting and eventually finding its perfect equilibrium.
Signing Tips
Focus on keeping your hands completely flat and parallel to the floor during the sign. The alternating up-and-down movement should be smooth, steady, and controlled, perfectly mimicking a classic two-pan scale. Make sure your palms stay facing downward throughout the entire motion. Relax your shoulders and keep the movement contained comfortably within your signing space in front of your chest.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is moving both hands up and down at the exact same time instead of alternating them. Another frequent error is tilting the hands from side to side or curving the fingers. Remember to keep your hands flat with your palms facing directly toward the ground to clearly and accurately show the visual concept of a scale.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Balance" in a Sentence
1

She has excellent balance.

To express this, you would sign 'balance' to describe her physical stability and coordination. The smooth, alternating motion of your hands perfectly captures the idea of staying steady.

2

It is important to eat a balanced diet.

Use the sign for 'balance' here to describe eating a healthy, well-proportioned mix of foods. It visually represents weighing your daily food choices equally.

3

I am trying to balance my work and school schedules.

Sign 'balance' to show how you are weighing and managing two different, competing priorities in your life. The alternating hands represent juggling the two responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for my bank account balance?

While this sign is perfect for physical balance or balancing life priorities, a financial 'balance' is often signed differently, such as using the sign for 'amount' or 'left over.' However, in some contexts, people might still use this scale sign conceptually.

How fast should I move my hands when signing this?

A moderate, steady, and controlled pace is best. Moving your hands too frantically might look like you are anxiously weighing options rather than showing true balance. Keep the motion smooth to convey stability.

Does it matter which hand starts higher?

No, it does not matter whether your dominant or non-dominant hand starts in the higher position. As long as your hands alternate smoothly up and down, the meaning of 'balance' will be perfectly clear to whoever you are signing with.

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