How to Sign "Butt"
To sign 'butt', bring the dominant hand into a fist, leaving the index finger extended. Bring the hand down to your waist and point at your own behind.
Examples Using "Butt" in a Sentence
1
The baby fell on his butt.
Sign 'baby', 'fall', and then use your dominant index finger to point toward your own behind to indicate 'butt'.
2
My butt hurts from sitting too long.
Point to your behind with your index finger for 'butt', then sign 'hurt' in your neutral signing space, followed by 'sit' and 'long time'.
3
The dog bit him on the butt.
Sign 'dog', 'bite', and then point to your own behind with your extended index finger to show exactly where the dog bit him.
How to Sign "Butt"
To sign 'butt', bring the dominant hand into a fist, leaving the index finger extended. Bring the hand down to your waist and point at your own behind.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'butt' is highly iconic and relies on a natural pointing gesture, known in ASL as indexing. By extending the index finger and pointing directly toward the buttocks, the sign visually indicates the exact body part being referenced. This type of literal, location-based signing is very common in ASL for basic anatomy.
Signing Tips
When signing 'butt', keep the movement simple and direct. You do not need to reach all the way around to the center of your back; simply pointing your extended index finger downward and slightly backward toward your hip or upper glute area is enough to clearly convey the meaning. Make sure your other fingers are tucked neatly into a fist so the pointing gesture is obvious.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is trying to physically touch your actual buttocks, which can look awkward and disrupt the flow of your signing. Another mistake is using a full flat hand instead of isolating just the index finger. Remember to keep your hand in a fist with only the index finger extended, and just point in the general direction.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Butt" in a Sentence
1The baby fell on his butt.
Sign 'baby', 'fall', and then use your dominant index finger to point toward your own behind to indicate 'butt'.
2My butt hurts from sitting too long.
Point to your behind with your index finger for 'butt', then sign 'hurt' in your neutral signing space, followed by 'sit' and 'long time'.
3The dog bit him on the butt.
Sign 'dog', 'bite', and then point to your own behind with your extended index finger to show exactly where the dog bit him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to turn around to show what I am pointing at?
No, you should never turn your back to the person you are signing with. Simply drop your dominant hand to your side and point your index finger backward toward your own behind while maintaining eye contact.
Can I use this sign in formal situations?
Pointing to your behind is generally understood, but it is considered somewhat informal. In medical or highly formal contexts, a Deaf person might use a more clinical sign or fingerspell 'buttocks', but this pointing sign is perfectly fine for everyday, casual conversation.
Does it matter which hand I use to point?
You should use your dominant hand to sign 'butt'. If you are right-handed, drop your right hand to your right side and point backward with your right index finger. Keep your non-dominant hand relaxed.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!