How to Sign "Bingo"

To sign *bingo*, raise your dominant hand in front of you, pinching your thumb and index finger together while keeping your other fingers curled into your palm. Move your hand slightly forward and down in a single, deliberate motion. This sign mimics the action of holding a small bingo chip or dauber and firmly placing it on a winning spot on a game board.

Examples Using "Bingo" in a Sentence

1

I won the game of bingo!

Sign 'I' and 'WIN', then use your dominant hand to make the pinched-finger motion for 'BINGO'.

2

We are going to play bingo tonight.

Sign 'TONIGHT', 'WE', and 'PLAY', followed by the crisp, forward motion of the 'BINGO' sign.

3

Bingo! You guessed the right answer.

Use the sign for 'BINGO' as an enthusiastic exclamation, then sign 'YOU', 'GUESS', 'RIGHT', and 'ANSWER'.

How to Sign "Bingo"
To sign *bingo*, raise your dominant hand in front of you, pinching your thumb and index finger together while keeping your other fingers curled into your palm. Move your hand slightly forward and down in a single, deliberate motion. This sign mimics the action of holding a small bingo chip or dauber and firmly placing it on a winning spot on a game board.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, visually representing the action of holding a small, round bingo chip or an ink dauber and firmly placing it onto a bingo card to mark a winning space.
Signing Tips
Keep your movement crisp and deliberate to emphasize the 'winning' action of placing the chip. You can also show an enthusiastic facial expression or mouth the word 'bingo' to clarify your meaning, especially if you are using it to mean 'spot on!'
Common Mistakes
Using a flat hand or pointing with just the index finger instead of pinching the thumb and index finger together. The pinch is important because it visually represents holding a small game piece or dauber.
Regional Variations
Some signers may simply fingerspell B-I-N-G-O to refer to the game. When using the word to mean 'exactly right,' some signers might tap their nose with an index finger to mean 'on the nose.'
Examples Using "Bingo" in a Sentence
1

I won the game of bingo!

Sign 'I' and 'WIN', then use your dominant hand to make the pinched-finger motion for 'BINGO'.

2

We are going to play bingo tonight.

Sign 'TONIGHT', 'WE', and 'PLAY', followed by the crisp, forward motion of the 'BINGO' sign.

3

Bingo! You guessed the right answer.

Use the sign for 'BINGO' as an enthusiastic exclamation, then sign 'YOU', 'GUESS', 'RIGHT', and 'ANSWER'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to mean 'exactly right'?

Yes! While it represents the game of bingo, this crisp, pinpointing motion is also frequently used as an exclamation to mean 'Spot on!' or 'You got it exactly right!'

Do I need to use both hands to sign *bingo*?

No, this variation of *bingo* is a one-handed sign. You only need to use your dominant hand to mimic placing the game chip.

Is it common to fingerspell this word?

Yes, many signers choose to simply fingerspell B-I-N-G-O when referring to the game, especially in formal contexts or when introducing the topic for the first time.

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