How to Sign "Carry"

To sign 'carry', hold both hands in front of you with your palms facing up and fingers slightly curved, as if you are supporting a package. Move both hands together from one side of your body to the other in a smooth, sweeping motion. The movement visually mimics holding an object and moving it to a new location.

Examples Using "Carry" in a Sentence

1

Can you carry this for me?

Point to the object, then sign 'carry' by moving your cupped hands from your body outward to indicate moving the object.

2

I carried the boxes inside.

Sign 'carry' with a firm, deliberate motion to show the effort of moving the boxes, directing the movement toward your intended location.

3

He will carry the bags.

Point to the person, then use the 'carry' sign, moving your hands to show the direction the bags will be taken.

How to Sign "Carry"
To sign 'carry', hold both hands in front of you with your palms facing up and fingers slightly curved, as if you are supporting a package. Move both hands together from one side of your body to the other in a smooth, sweeping motion. The movement visually mimics holding an object and moving it to a new location.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'carry' is highly iconic and visually intuitive. The upward-facing, slightly cupped hands represent the physical act of holding or supporting an object from the bottom. The sweeping motion directly mimics the real-world action of transporting an item from one place to another.
Signing Tips
Focus on keeping your palms facing upward and your hands moving in unison. Imagine you are actually holding a medium-sized box; your hands should stay a consistent distance apart. You can also modify the starting and ending points of the sign to show exactly where an object is being carried from and to.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is letting the hands drift apart or turning the palms inward during the movement. It's important to keep the palms facing up to clearly show that you are supporting the weight of an object from underneath.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Carry" in a Sentence
1

Can you carry this for me?

Point to the object, then sign 'carry' by moving your cupped hands from your body outward to indicate moving the object.

2

I carried the boxes inside.

Sign 'carry' with a firm, deliberate motion to show the effort of moving the boxes, directing the movement toward your intended location.

3

He will carry the bags.

Point to the person, then use the 'carry' sign, moving your hands to show the direction the bags will be taken.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for carrying a conversation?

No, 'carry' in ASL is typically used for physically transporting objects. For abstract concepts like 'carrying a conversation', you would use signs related to 'chat', 'talk', or 'continue'.

Does the direction of the movement matter?

Yes! 'Carry' can be directional. You can move your hands from left to right, right to left, or forward, depending on where the object is being moved in your story or real life.

How do I show carrying something very heavy?

You can show weight through your facial expressions and body language. Furrow your eyebrows, tense your arm muscles, and make the carrying motion slower and more labored to indicate a heavy load.

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