How to Sign "Chosen"

To sign "chosen" (or "choose"), start with your dominant hand extended in front of you, palm facing down and fingers spread loosely. Pull your hand back towards your body while pinching your thumb and index finger together, as if you are picking a specific object out of a group.

Examples Using "Chosen" in a Sentence

1

I was chosen for the team.

Establish the context of the team first, point to yourself, and then use the sign for 'chosen' to show that you were the one picked.

2

Have you chosen a color yet?

Sign 'color', point to the person, sign 'chosen', and use the 'finish' sign to ask if the action is completed. Remember to raise your eyebrows since it is a yes/no question.

3

She is the chosen winner.

Point to the person, sign 'win' and add the person marker to indicate 'winner', then use the 'chosen' sign to emphasize that they were selected.

How to Sign "Chosen"
To sign "chosen" (or "choose"), start with your dominant hand extended in front of you, palm facing down and fingers spread loosely. Pull your hand back towards your body while pinching your thumb and index finger together, as if you are picking a specific object out of a group.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the physical action of picking something up. The open hand represents looking over a variety of options, and the pinching motion mimics plucking your preferred choice out of the group.
Signing Tips
Focus on the pinching motion of your thumb and index finger. It should look exactly like you are plucking a specific item from a lineup in front of you. Keep the movement crisp and deliberate to clearly convey the idea of making a selection.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using the whole hand to grab instead of just the thumb and index finger. Using the whole hand looks more like 'catch' or 'grab'. Make sure to isolate the thumb and index finger to accurately sign 'chosen'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Chosen" in a Sentence
1

I was chosen for the team.

Establish the context of the team first, point to yourself, and then use the sign for 'chosen' to show that you were the one picked.

2

Have you chosen a color yet?

Sign 'color', point to the person, sign 'chosen', and use the 'finish' sign to ask if the action is completed. Remember to raise your eyebrows since it is a yes/no question.

3

She is the chosen winner.

Point to the person, sign 'win' and add the person marker to indicate 'winner', then use the 'chosen' sign to emphasize that they were selected.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'chosen' the same as 'choose'?

Yes! ASL does not change the form of the verb to show past tense like English does. You use the same sign for 'choose', 'chose', and 'chosen', relying on context or time signs (like 'past' or 'finish') to indicate when it happened.

Can I use either hand to sign this?

You should use your dominant hand to perform the pinching and pulling motion. Your non-dominant hand can just rest at your side, or you can hold it out flat to represent the options you are choosing from.

Does this sign also mean 'pick'?

Yes, absolutely! This sign is very versatile and is commonly used for 'pick', 'select', and 'choose'. They all share the exact same visual concept of selecting an item from a larger group.

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