How to Sign "Fifteen"
To sign 'fifteen', relax the hand with the palm facing towards you and the fingers pointed up. Wiggle the fingers in and out at the same time.
Examples Using "Fifteen" in a Sentence
1
I am fifteen years old.
Sign 'AGE' followed by the sign for 'fifteen.' Make sure your palm is facing toward you and your fingers bend together in a synchronized wiggling motion.
2
The movie starts in fifteen minutes.
Sign 'MINUTE' then 'fifteen.' Keep your hand relaxed with the fingers pointed up, bending them in and out toward your palm twice.
3
There are fifteen students in the class.
Sign 'CLASS', 'HAVE', 'fifteen', 'STUDENT'. When signing 'fifteen,' ensure your palm orientation remains inward and the wiggling motion is clear and crisp.
How to Sign "Fifteen"
To sign 'fifteen', relax the hand with the palm facing towards you and the fingers pointed up. Wiggle the fingers in and out at the same time.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In ASL, the numbers 11 through 15 share a common visual logic where the palm faces inward toward the signer. The sign for fifteen builds upon the open '5' handshape. The repeated bending or wiggling motion of the fingers is a characteristic movement used in ASL to indicate the 'teen' numbers, visually separating them from the single digits 1 through 5.
Signing Tips
Keep your hand relaxed; tension can make the wiggling motion look stiff or robotic. Ensure your palm is facing squarely toward you, not out toward the person you are signing to. The movement should come from the base knuckles of your four fingers, bending them forward and back together in a smooth, synchronized fluttering motion while the thumb remains extended and still.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is turning the palm outward toward the viewer, which is incorrect for the numbers 11 through 15. Another common error is wiggling the fingers individually like you are typing or playing a piano, rather than bending all four fingers together at the same time. Make sure the thumb stays out and doesn't tuck into the palm.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Fifteen" in a Sentence
1I am fifteen years old.
Sign 'AGE' followed by the sign for 'fifteen.' Make sure your palm is facing toward you and your fingers bend together in a synchronized wiggling motion.
2The movie starts in fifteen minutes.
Sign 'MINUTE' then 'fifteen.' Keep your hand relaxed with the fingers pointed up, bending them in and out toward your palm twice.
3There are fifteen students in the class.
Sign 'CLASS', 'HAVE', 'fifteen', 'STUDENT'. When signing 'fifteen,' ensure your palm orientation remains inward and the wiggling motion is clear and crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my palm have to face inward for fifteen?
In ASL, the numbers 1 through 5 and 11 through 15 are traditionally signed with the palm facing the signer. This is a foundational rule in ASL numbering. Turning your palm outward for these numbers can look unnatural to fluent signers.
Do I wiggle my thumb too?
No, your thumb should remain extended and still. The wiggling motion only involves your four fingers bending together at the base knuckles. Keeping your thumb stationary helps maintain the clear '5' handshape base of the sign.
How many times should I wiggle my fingers?
Generally, a quick double wiggle (bending the fingers in and out twice) is perfect. You do not need to continuously flutter your fingers. A brief, crisp double movement is the most natural way to sign fifteen in everyday conversation.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!