How to Sign "Face"
Make a D-shape with your dominant hand (index finger extended, three remaining fingers touching the tip of your thumb). With your index finger, draw a circle in the air around your face.
Examples Using "Face" in a Sentence
1
Please wash your face.
Sign 'wash' by making circular rubbing motions with your hands, then use your dominant hand's extended index finger to trace a circle around your face.
2
My face is cold.
Point to yourself for 'my', sign 'cold' by bringing your arms in and shivering with S-shaped hands, and then trace the perimeter of your face with your index finger.
3
I have a smile on my face.
Sign 'smile' by drawing the corners of your mouth up with your index fingers, then sign 'face' by tracing a circle around your face with your dominant D-shape hand.
How to Sign "Face"
Make a D-shape with your dominant hand (index finger extended, three remaining fingers touching the tip of your thumb). With your index finger, draw a circle in the air around your face.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'face' is highly iconic and visually literal, making it very easy for beginners to remember. In American Sign Language, the extended index finger frequently acts like a pen, a pointer, or a tracing tool. In this case, your finger is physically outlining the exact shape and location of the concept you are talking about—your own face.
Signing Tips
Keep your movement smooth and fluid as you trace the circle around your face. You do not need to actually touch your skin; keeping your extended index finger an inch or two away from your face is perfect. Make sure your non-dominant hand rests naturally at your side. Also, remember to maintain an appropriate facial expression, as the face itself is a crucial part of ASL grammar!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is using a full open hand to trace the face, which can easily be confused with the sign for 'appearance' or 'looks'. It is important to isolate that index finger in the D-shape. Another frequent error is drawing a tiny circle in the air just in front of the nose, rather than tracing the actual, full perimeter of your face.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Face" in a Sentence
1Please wash your face.
Sign 'wash' by making circular rubbing motions with your hands, then use your dominant hand's extended index finger to trace a circle around your face.
2My face is cold.
Point to yourself for 'my', sign 'cold' by bringing your arms in and shivering with S-shaped hands, and then trace the perimeter of your face with your index finger.
3I have a smile on my face.
Sign 'smile' by drawing the corners of your mouth up with your index fingers, then sign 'face' by tracing a circle around your face with your dominant D-shape hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to touch my face when signing this?
No, you do not need to make physical contact with your skin. Simply trace the circle in the air just an inch or two in front of your face.
Does it matter which direction I draw the circle?
Generally, it does not strictly matter, but most signers naturally start at the top of the face, move down the dominant side, across the chin, and back up the non-dominant side.
Can I use my whole hand instead of just the index finger?
For this specific sign, you should stick to the D-shape with just the index finger extended. Using an open hand changes the meaning to signs like 'appearance' or 'looks'.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!