To sign "bong," hold your non-dominant hand in a "C" shape in front of you, as if gripping the vertical neck of a water pipe. With your dominant hand, pinch your thumb and index finger together to mimic holding a small lighter. Bring your dominant hand to the lower side of your non-dominant hand, simulating the action of lighting the bowl.
Sign "bong" as described, then use the sign for "break" by holding both hands out in fists and mimicking snapping a stick in half.
Sign "water" by tapping a "W" handshape against your chin, sign "bong," and raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign "glass" by tapping your front teeth with your index finger, sign "bong," and then sign "expensive" by tossing an imaginary object from your non-dominant palm.
Sign "bong" as described, then use the sign for "break" by holding both hands out in fists and mimicking snapping a stick in half.
Sign "water" by tapping a "W" handshape against your chin, sign "bong," and raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign "glass" by tapping your front teeth with your index finger, sign "bong," and then sign "expensive" by tossing an imaginary object from your non-dominant palm.
This is a widely understood, highly iconic sign used in casual contexts. Because it visually mimics the action of using the object, it is easily recognized by most fluent signers in informal settings.
While not strictly required for the base vocabulary word, adding a slight inhaling expression is very common in conversational ASL to add visual clarity and storytelling detail.
You should always use your dominant hand for the moving action (the lighter) and your non-dominant hand for the stationary object (the neck of the bong). If you are left-handed, simply reverse the roles of your hands.
