Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Diarrea"

Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, with the palm facing sideways and fingers pointing forward. Place your dominant hand near the bottom edge of your non-dominant hand with your fingers closed together. Quickly thrust your dominant hand downward while springing your fingers wide open, and be sure to include an uncomfortable or pained facial expression.

Examples Using "Diarrea" in a Sentence

1

I can't come to work today because I have diarrhea.

Sign 'I', 'can't', 'work', 'today', 'because', 'I', 'have', and then use this sign for diarrhea while showing a pained or sick facial expression.

2

The dog ate something bad and now has diarrhea.

Sign 'Dog', 'eat', 'bad', 'now', 'have', and finish with the sign for diarrhea, keeping the downward motion quick and abrupt.

3

Do you have medicine for diarrhea?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'have', 'medicine', 'for', and then sign diarrhea while raising your eyebrows and leaning forward to ask a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Diarrea"
Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, with the palm facing sideways and fingers pointing forward. Place your dominant hand near the bottom edge of your non-dominant hand with your fingers closed together. Quickly thrust your dominant hand downward while springing your fingers wide open, and be sure to include an uncomfortable or pained facial expression.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual and iconic, relying on a physical representation of the concept to convey its meaning. The stationary non-dominant hand acts as a base or reference point, representing the body. Meanwhile, the dominant hand's quick, forceful downward motion—combined with the fingers springing wide open—visually mimics a sudden, uncontrollable release. This type of iconic sign is very common in ASL for bodily functions, making it relatively easy for beginners to remember once they understand the visual logic.
Signing Tips
When learning this sign, remember that facial expressions are just as important as your hand movements! A grimace, squinted eyes, or an uncomfortable look helps convey the unpleasant nature of the word and adds grammatical context. Make sure the downward motion of your dominant hand is quick, sharp, and abrupt. The sudden opening of your fingers is what gives the sign its specific meaning, so practice making that transition from closed to open very distinct.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving the dominant hand too slowly or gently, which loses the intended meaning. The motion needs to be a quick, downward thrust. Another common error is forgetting to spring the fingers open as the hand moves down; keeping the hand closed changes the sign entirely. Finally, signing this with a neutral or happy facial expression will confuse your conversation partner, as it contradicts the uncomfortable nature of the concept.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Diarrea" in a Sentence
1

I can't come to work today because I have diarrhea.

Sign 'I', 'can't', 'work', 'today', 'because', 'I', 'have', and then use this sign for diarrhea while showing a pained or sick facial expression.

2

The dog ate something bad and now has diarrhea.

Sign 'Dog', 'eat', 'bad', 'now', 'have', and finish with the sign for diarrhea, keeping the downward motion quick and abrupt.

3

Do you have medicine for diarrhea?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'have', 'medicine', 'for', and then sign diarrhea while raising your eyebrows and leaning forward to ask a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to make a grossed-out face when signing this?

Yes! Non-manual markers, like facial expressions, are a crucial grammatical part of ASL. A pained, disgusted, or uncomfortable expression is expected and helps convey the severity or unpleasantness of the situation.

Which hand should be moving?

Your dominant hand should be the one moving downward and opening up. Your non-dominant hand stays completely stationary to act as the base.

Is this sign considered inappropriate to use in public?

While it refers to a bodily function, it is the standard medical and everyday ASL term for diarrhea. It is perfectly appropriate to use when discussing health, symptoms, or feeling unwell with a doctor, friend, or family member.

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