Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Delivery"

To sign 'delivery', start with both hands in flat 'B' handshapes, with your palms facing up and fingers pointing forward. Hold your hands in front of your torso. Move both hands forward together in a smooth, deliberate motion, as if you are holding a package or a tray and handing it to someone else. The movement should end with your arms slightly extended in front of you. This sign is directional, meaning you can change the direction of the movement depending on who is delivering to whom.

Examples Using "Delivery" in a Sentence

1

The pizza delivery is here.

To sign this, start by signing 'pizza', then use the 'delivery' sign. Because the delivery is coming to you, move your hands from an outward position inward toward your body to show the pizza has been brought to you, followed by 'here'.

2

I am waiting for a package delivery.

Sign 'I', 'wait', 'package', and then 'delivery'. Just like the previous example, you can move the 'delivery' sign toward your body to indicate that you are the one receiving the package. Keep your facial expression patient to match the concept of waiting.

3

Do you offer free delivery?

Sign 'you', 'offer', 'free', and then 'delivery'. For this sentence, move your hands outward to represent the delivery service being provided to customers. Remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Delivery"
To sign 'delivery', start with both hands in flat 'B' handshapes, with your palms facing up and fingers pointing forward. Hold your hands in front of your torso. Move both hands forward together in a smooth, deliberate motion, as if you are holding a package or a tray and handing it to someone else. The movement should end with your arms slightly extended in front of you. This sign is directional, meaning you can change the direction of the movement depending on who is delivering to whom.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'delivery' is highly iconic and visually motivated, making it very intuitive for beginners to learn. It directly mimics the real-world physical action of holding a box, package, or tray in both of your hands and carefully carrying it over to hand to someone else. The flat, upward-facing palms represent the surface supporting the object, while the forward movement represents the transportation and final transfer of the item from one person to another.
Signing Tips
When signing 'delivery', focus on keeping your palms facing up throughout the entire motion. This clearly conveys the visual idea of carrying and handing over an item. Ensure both hands move simultaneously and evenly, maintaining a consistent distance between them as if you are supporting a real box. Use smooth, fluid motions rather than jerky movements, and remember to adjust the direction of your hands based on who is giving and who is receiving the delivery.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is flipping their palms downward at the end of the motion, which breaks the visual illusion of carrying an object and can confuse the meaning. Another common error is moving only one hand instead of both. While the sign for 'give' can be done with a single hand, 'delivery' typically requires both hands to emphasize the transfer of a larger item, a package, or a formal service being provided.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Delivery" in a Sentence
1

The pizza delivery is here.

To sign this, start by signing 'pizza', then use the 'delivery' sign. Because the delivery is coming to you, move your hands from an outward position inward toward your body to show the pizza has been brought to you, followed by 'here'.

2

I am waiting for a package delivery.

Sign 'I', 'wait', 'package', and then 'delivery'. Just like the previous example, you can move the 'delivery' sign toward your body to indicate that you are the one receiving the package. Keep your facial expression patient to match the concept of waiting.

3

Do you offer free delivery?

Sign 'you', 'offer', 'free', and then 'delivery'. For this sentence, move your hands outward to represent the delivery service being provided to customers. Remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'delivery' the same as 'bring'?

Yes, the signs for 'delivery', 'bring', and 'carry' are essentially the same and use the identical handshape and motion. The exact meaning is easily understood through the context of your sentence. If you are talking about mail or food, it translates to 'delivery'.

Does the direction of the movement matter?

Absolutely! This is a directional or 'agreeing' verb. If you are delivering something to someone else, you move your hands outward away from your body. If you are receiving a delivery, you start with your hands extended and pull them inward toward yourself.

Can I use just one hand to sign this?

While the sign for 'give' is often done with just one hand, 'delivery' typically uses both hands. Using both hands emphasizes the transfer of a larger physical item or represents a formal delivery service, so it is best to stick to the two-handed version.

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