How to Sign "Bonjour"

To sign 'bonjour' (which uses the standard ASL sign for 'hello'), start with your dominant hand in an open flat shape with your fingers together. Place your hand near your forehead or temple, with your palm facing forward. Move your hand outward and slightly away from your head in a smooth, welcoming salute.

Examples Using "Bonjour" in a Sentence

1

Bonjour! How are you?

Sign 'bonjour' using the standard 'hello' salute, followed by the ASL sign for 'how are you'.

2

I said bonjour to my teacher.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'say', then use the 'bonjour' (hello) sign before signing 'my teacher'.

3

Bonjour, nice to meet you.

Start with the 'bonjour' sign, then transition into the signs for 'nice', 'meet', and point to the person for 'you'.

How to Sign "Bonjour"
To sign 'bonjour' (which uses the standard ASL sign for 'hello'), start with your dominant hand in an open flat shape with your fingers together. Place your hand near your forehead or temple, with your palm facing forward. Move your hand outward and slightly away from your head in a smooth, welcoming salute.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign originates from the gesture of a traditional military salute or tipping a hat, which naturally evolved into a polite, everyday greeting in American Sign Language.
Signing Tips
Keep your fingers together and your hand relatively flat to make the sign look crisp and intentional. Always pair this sign with a warm, friendly smile to match the welcoming nature of the greeting.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is doing a floppy, side-to-side wave instead of a clean, forward-moving salute. Also, make sure your hand starts near your forehead, not down by your chin or chest.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Bonjour" in a Sentence
1

Bonjour! How are you?

Sign 'bonjour' using the standard 'hello' salute, followed by the ASL sign for 'how are you'.

2

I said bonjour to my teacher.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'say', then use the 'bonjour' (hello) sign before signing 'my teacher'.

3

Bonjour, nice to meet you.

Start with the 'bonjour' sign, then transition into the signs for 'nice', 'meet', and point to the person for 'you'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a specific ASL sign for French words like 'bonjour'?

No, ASL translates the meaning rather than the specific spoken language word. Since 'bonjour' means 'hello', you simply use the standard ASL sign for 'hello'.

Should I use my right or left hand?

You should use your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, use your right hand; if you are left-handed, use your left hand.

Do I need to mouth the word 'bonjour'?

You can mouth 'bonjour' if you are specifically emphasizing the French word, but typically, you would just mouth 'hello' or smile naturally while signing.

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