Bring both hands in front of your chest with palms facing down and fingers relaxed. Starting with your hands close together, sweep them outward to the sides in a firm, decisive motion. Pair this movement with a stern facial expression or a slight headshake to clearly convey the negative command.
Sign 'please', then use the 'do not' sign with a firm outward sweep of both hands, followed by 'touch' and 'art'.
Point to the location, then use the 'do not' sign with a clear, commanding facial expression, and sign 'go'.
Sign 'I tell you', then emphasize the 'do not' sign with a sharp, quick outward motion of both hands to show you are serious.
Sign 'please', then use the 'do not' sign with a firm outward sweep of both hands, followed by 'touch' and 'art'.
Point to the location, then use the 'do not' sign with a clear, commanding facial expression, and sign 'go'.
Sign 'I tell you', then emphasize the 'do not' sign with a sharp, quick outward motion of both hands to show you are serious.
No, 'not' is typically signed by flicking the thumb out from under the chin. The two-handed 'do not' sign shown here is used more for commands, warnings, or telling someone to stop an action.
It is more natural in ASL to use the sign for 'not' or simply use a negative headshake while signing 'like'. This two-handed 'do not' is best used for commands like 'don't do that' or 'stop'.
Yes! A larger, sharper movement indicates a stronger command or more urgency. A smaller, softer movement comes across as more of a gentle suggestion or a mild warning.
