Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "City"

To sign “City”, Using both flat handshapes with thumbs out. Having these both fingertips to touch each other. Both hands would be facing to each other. Then twisting your hand positions few times. It is an idea of you see a countless roofs in the city.

Examples Using "City" in a Sentence

1

I live in a big city.

Sign 'I', 'live', 'big', and then sign 'city' by forming the touching flat handshapes and twisting them a few times to show the sprawling roofs.

2

Which city are you from?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'from', sign 'city' using the twisting roof motion, and then sign 'which' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.

3

The city is very busy.

Start with the sign for 'city' by tapping and twisting your fingertips together, then sign 'busy' with a slightly intense facial expression to emphasize the activity.

How to Sign "City"
To sign “City”, Using both flat handshapes with thumbs out. Having these both fingertips to touch each other. Both hands would be facing to each other. Then twisting your hand positions few times. It is an idea of you see a countless roofs in the city.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'city' is highly iconic and visually represents the skyline of a populated area. The flat handshapes with touching fingertips create the shape of a pitched roof. By twisting your hands and repeating this roof shape multiple times, you are visually painting a picture of countless roofs clustered together.
Signing Tips
When signing 'city', keep your movements light and rhythmic. Your fingertips should stay touching or very close to each other as your hands twist back and forth. Imagine you are quickly sketching the peaks of several roofs in a row. Make sure your thumbs stay extended to maintain the correct flat handshape throughout the motion.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is separating the hands completely between twists, which makes the sign look disjointed. Another mistake is keeping the hands completely still and just tapping the fingertips together; remember that the twisting motion is what distinguishes 'city' from 'town'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "City" in a Sentence
1

I live in a big city.

Sign 'I', 'live', 'big', and then sign 'city' by forming the touching flat handshapes and twisting them a few times to show the sprawling roofs.

2

Which city are you from?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'from', sign 'city' using the twisting roof motion, and then sign 'which' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.

3

The city is very busy.

Start with the sign for 'city' by tapping and twisting your fingertips together, then sign 'busy' with a slightly intense facial expression to emphasize the activity.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the signs for 'city', 'town', and 'house'?

All three use the same 'roof' handshape. 'House' is a single motion outlining the roof and walls. 'Town' taps the roof shape together a couple of times without twisting. 'City' taps the roof shape while twisting the hands back and forth to show many roofs.

Do my fingertips need to stay perfectly glued together?

They don't need to be glued, but they should lightly touch or remain very close as you twist your wrists. The goal is to maintain the continuous 'roof' shape while showing the sprawling nature of the city.

How many times should I twist my hands?

Usually, two or three quick twists are perfect. You just need enough movement to convey the idea of multiple roofs spread out across an area, rather than a single building.

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