How to Sign "Cat"
To make the sign cat, take your dominant hand in the F handshape and place it beside your mouth on your dominant side. Then open your thumb and index finger while pulling your hand away from face.
Examples Using "Cat" in a Sentence
1
I have a pet cat.
Point to yourself to sign 'I', sign 'have' by bringing both bent-handshapes to your chest, spell or sign 'pet', and finish by placing your F handshape by your mouth and opening your fingers as you pull away for 'cat'.
2
The cat is sleeping.
First, establish the subject by signing 'cat' using the whisker-pulling motion on your dominant side. Then, sign 'sleep' by drawing your dominant hand down over your face, bringing your fingers and thumb together.
3
Where is your cat?
Point forward for 'your', sign 'cat' by opening your F handshape as you pull it away from your cheek, and then sign 'where' by shaking your index finger back and forth while furrowing your eyebrows.
How to Sign "Cat"
To make the sign cat, take your dominant hand in the F handshape and place it beside your mouth on your dominant side. Then open your thumb and index finger while pulling your hand away from face.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it stands for. The placement of the hand near the mouth and the outward pulling motion directly mimic the long, distinct whiskers found on a cat's face.
Signing Tips
To make this sign look natural, keep the pulling movement relatively small and relaxed. Start with your thumb and index finger touching in the F handshape right next to your cheek. As you pull your hand outward a few inches, gently open those two fingers to mimic the length and shape of a single cat whisker.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is using both hands to trace whiskers on both sides of the face. While you might occasionally see this older variation, the standard modern sign uses only your dominant hand on your dominant side. Another frequent error is extending the arm too far; the pulling motion should stay close to your face.
Regional Variations
While the one-handed F-handshape version is the widely accepted standard, you may encounter signers who use an '8' handshape (using the middle finger and thumb instead of the index finger) or use both hands simultaneously. These variations are often influenced by regional dialects or older generational signing styles.
Examples Using "Cat" in a Sentence
1I have a pet cat.
Point to yourself to sign 'I', sign 'have' by bringing both bent-handshapes to your chest, spell or sign 'pet', and finish by placing your F handshape by your mouth and opening your fingers as you pull away for 'cat'.
2The cat is sleeping.
First, establish the subject by signing 'cat' using the whisker-pulling motion on your dominant side. Then, sign 'sleep' by drawing your dominant hand down over your face, bringing your fingers and thumb together.
3Where is your cat?
Point forward for 'your', sign 'cat' by opening your F handshape as you pull it away from your cheek, and then sign 'where' by shaking your index finger back and forth while furrowing your eyebrows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I use one hand or two hands to sign 'cat'?
You should use just your dominant hand. Place it on the dominant side of your mouth. While a two-handed version tracing whiskers on both sides does exist, the one-handed version is the standard and most common way to sign 'cat' in modern ASL.
Does it matter which fingers I use?
Yes, handshape is very important in ASL! For this specific variation, you will use your thumb and index finger. You start in the F handshape, where the thumb and index finger touch, and open them as you pull away from your cheek.
How far should I pull my hand away from my face?
Keep the movement relatively small and natural, pulling just a few inches away from your cheek. You only need to visually represent the length of a cat's whisker, so there is no need to extend your arm fully outward.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!