How to Sign "Fly"
With your dominant hand in the "I love you" shape (index and pinky fingers and thumb extended, middle and ring fingers closed to your palm), extend this shape in the air in an upward motion, indicating a plane flying away.
Examples Using "Fly" in a Sentence
1
We are going to fly to New York.
Start by pointing to yourself and others to establish 'we.' Next, form the ILY handshape with your dominant hand and glide it upward and forward to show the action of flying. Finish by signing 'New York' to complete the travel destination.
2
I love to fly.
Begin by pointing to yourself for 'I,' then cross your arms over your chest for 'love.' Finally, use your dominant hand in the ILY shape, pushing it upward and outward to clearly demonstrate the thrilling action of taking flight.
3
My flight leaves tomorrow.
First, establish the timeline by signing 'tomorrow' near your face. Then, use the smooth, upward flying motion with your ILY handshape to represent the airplane journey. This effectively communicates the concept of a scheduled flight taking off.
How to Sign "Fly"
With your dominant hand in the "I love you" shape (index and pinky fingers and thumb extended, middle and ring fingers closed to your palm), extend this shape in the air in an upward motion, indicating a plane flying away.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'fly' is highly iconic, meaning it visually resembles the concept it represents. In this context, the 'I love you' (ILY) handshape acts as a physical model of an airplane. Your extended thumb and pinky finger represent the wide wings of the aircraft, while your extended index finger acts as the nose of the plane pointing forward. The upward, gliding motion perfectly mimics the real-life action of a plane taking off into the sky.
Signing Tips
Focus on creating a smooth, gliding motion to make the sign look natural. The movement should mimic an airplane taking off into the sky. Keep your wrist relatively straight but relaxed, allowing your entire arm to guide the ILY handshape upward and forward. You can also use your facial expressions and eye gaze to follow the 'plane' as it flies away, which adds grammatical depth and clarity to your ASL storytelling.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is wiggling their fingers or bending their wrist too much during the movement. This can accidentally make the sign look like a flapping bird or an insect instead of a rigid airplane. Make sure to keep the ILY handshape firm and steady. Additionally, avoid making the movement too small; give the 'plane' enough space to take off by using a clear, deliberate upward trajectory.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Fly" in a Sentence
1We are going to fly to New York.
Start by pointing to yourself and others to establish 'we.' Next, form the ILY handshape with your dominant hand and glide it upward and forward to show the action of flying. Finish by signing 'New York' to complete the travel destination.
2I love to fly.
Begin by pointing to yourself for 'I,' then cross your arms over your chest for 'love.' Finally, use your dominant hand in the ILY shape, pushing it upward and outward to clearly demonstrate the thrilling action of taking flight.
3My flight leaves tomorrow.
First, establish the timeline by signing 'tomorrow' near your face. Then, use the smooth, upward flying motion with your ILY handshape to represent the airplane journey. This effectively communicates the concept of a scheduled flight taking off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'fly' the same as 'airplane'?
They are very similar and use the exact same handshape! 'Airplane' usually involves a short, repeated double movement to represent the noun, while the verb 'fly' uses a single, longer, continuous upward motion to show the actual action of traveling through the air.
Can I use this sign for a bird flying?
No, this specific sign is exclusively used for flying in an aircraft or airplane. To sign a bird or an insect flying, you would use completely different signs that mimic the flapping of wings, rather than the rigid, gliding structure of a mechanical plane.
Does it matter which direction I move my hand?
Yes, directionality matters in ASL! Moving the hand upward and forward away from your body indicates taking off or flying away. You can actually change the direction of the glide to show a plane landing or flying toward a specific location, matching your story.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!