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How to Sign "Decided"

To sign 'decided' (or 'decide'), start by pointing the index finger of your dominant hand to your forehead, representing a thought. Next, bring both hands down in front of your torso while forming 'F' handshapes—touching your index fingers to your thumbs with your other three fingers extended. Move both hands downward simultaneously and stop them abruptly. This firm, sudden stop visually represents that a final choice has been made.

Examples Using "Decided" in a Sentence

1

I decided to learn ASL.

Start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then sign 'decided' by bringing your 'F' hands down firmly. Follow this with the signs for 'learn' and 'ASL'. The firm stop in 'decided' shows your commitment.

2

Have you decided what to eat?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'decided', and then sign 'eat'. Since this is a question asking for information, make sure to furrow your eyebrows at the end to show you are asking a 'wh-' question.

3

We decided to stay home.

Sign 'we' by moving your index finger from your dominant shoulder to your non-dominant shoulder. Then use the crisp downward motion of 'decided', followed by the signs for 'stay' and 'home'.

How to Sign "Decided"
To sign 'decided' (or 'decide'), start by pointing the index finger of your dominant hand to your forehead, representing a thought. Next, bring both hands down in front of your torso while forming 'F' handshapes—touching your index fingers to your thumbs with your other three fingers extended. Move both hands downward simultaneously and stop them abruptly. This firm, sudden stop visually represents that a final choice has been made.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'decide' or 'decided' is a highly visual representation of the decision-making process. It begins at the head, symbolizing the cognitive process of thinking or weighing options. By bringing the hands down and stopping them firmly in front of the body, it illustrates taking an abstract thought from the mind and grounding it into a solid, finalized reality.
Signing Tips
Focus on the ending movement of the sign. The downward motion of your 'F' handshapes should be crisp, and they should come to a sudden, firm stop. This abrupt halt is crucial because it visually communicates the finality and certainty of making a decision. Pair this with a confident facial expression!
Common Mistakes
Beginners often make the downward movement too soft, slow, or bouncy. If the hands don't come to a firm stop, it can look like you are still weighing your options rather than having made a final choice. Another common error is forgetting the initial point to the forehead.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Decided" in a Sentence
1

I decided to learn ASL.

Start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then sign 'decided' by bringing your 'F' hands down firmly. Follow this with the signs for 'learn' and 'ASL'. The firm stop in 'decided' shows your commitment.

2

Have you decided what to eat?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'decided', and then sign 'eat'. Since this is a question asking for information, make sure to furrow your eyebrows at the end to show you are asking a 'wh-' question.

3

We decided to stay home.

Sign 'we' by moving your index finger from your dominant shoulder to your non-dominant shoulder. Then use the crisp downward motion of 'decided', followed by the signs for 'stay' and 'home'.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show the past tense for 'decided'?

ASL does not change the actual sign to show past tense. You use the exact same sign for 'decide' and 'decided.' To indicate that the decision already happened, you simply add a time marker like 'past' or 'finish' to your sentence.

Do I have to use both hands?

Yes, the standard sign requires both hands for the final downward movement. While the initial point to the forehead uses only your dominant hand, bringing both 'F' hands down together emphasizes the completion of the thought process.

Why does the sign use 'F' handshapes?

In this specific sign, the 'F' handshape isn't related to the English letter 'F'. Instead, the pinching motion of the thumb and index finger acts as a visual metaphor for grasping a specific idea or choice and locking it firmly into place.

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