How to Sign "Fancy"
To sign 'fancy', form an open '5' handshape with your dominant hand. Place your thumb against your chest with your fingers pointing upward. Move your hand upward along your chest while wiggling your fingers.
Examples Using "Fancy" in a Sentence
1
That is a very fancy dress.
Sign 'fancy' by wiggling your fingers as your thumb moves up your chest, then sign 'dress' by brushing both '5' hands downward on your body.
2
We are going to a fancy restaurant.
Use the sign for 'fancy' to describe the restaurant, emphasizing the fluttering motion to show just how elegant the place is.
3
He always wears fancy clothes.
Sign 'he', 'always', 'wear', and then 'fancy' followed by 'clothes', making sure the upward wiggling motion of 'fancy' is clear and expressive.
How to Sign "Fancy"
To sign 'fancy', form an open '5' handshape with your dominant hand. Place your thumb against your chest with your fingers pointing upward. Move your hand upward along your chest while wiggling your fingers.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'fancy' is closely related to the sign for 'fine', which also uses the '5' handshape on the chest. The added wiggling motion and upward movement convey an extra level of flair, elegance, or being 'dressed up'.
Signing Tips
Keep your fingers relaxed and spread apart as you wiggle them. The motion should feel light and elegant, matching the meaning of the word. Make sure your thumb stays in contact with or very close to your chest as your hand moves upward.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the fingers stiff or still. The wiggling motion is essential to distinguish 'fancy' from similar signs like 'fine' or 'polite'. Also, ensure the movement goes upward along the chest, not outward.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Fancy" in a Sentence
1That is a very fancy dress.
Sign 'fancy' by wiggling your fingers as your thumb moves up your chest, then sign 'dress' by brushing both '5' hands downward on your body.
2We are going to a fancy restaurant.
Use the sign for 'fancy' to describe the restaurant, emphasizing the fluttering motion to show just how elegant the place is.
3He always wears fancy clothes.
Sign 'he', 'always', 'wear', and then 'fancy' followed by 'clothes', making sure the upward wiggling motion of 'fancy' is clear and expressive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'fancy' signed with one hand or two?
It is most commonly signed with one hand, usually your dominant hand, as shown in the video. However, you might occasionally see it signed with both hands for added emphasis when describing something extremely fancy.
How is 'fancy' different from 'fine'?
Both signs use the '5' handshape with the thumb on the chest. However, 'fine' typically involves a single tap or slight outward movement without wiggling the fingers, whereas 'fancy' requires an upward movement while wiggling the fingers.
Can this sign also mean 'elegant' or 'formal'?
Yes! The sign for 'fancy' is very versatile and can be used to mean elegant, formal, classy, or dressed up, depending entirely on the context of your sentence and your facial expressions.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!