How to Sign "Give"
The sign 'give' uses both hands. Straighten both hands with the palms facing upwards, and the dominant hand further out than the non-dominant hand. Move the hands away from you, keeping the palms facing up.
Examples Using "Give" in a Sentence
1
I will give you the book.
Sign 'book', then use the flat-handed 'give' sign, moving your upward-facing hands away from your body directly toward the person you are giving it to.
2
Please give that to him.
Point to the object and then to the person receiving it. Next, perform the 'give' sign by moving your flat, upward-facing hands in their specific direction.
3
She loves to give gifts.
After signing 'gift', perform the 'give' sign by moving both flat hands outward. You can sweep the motion slightly to show giving to multiple people.
How to Sign "Give"
The sign 'give' uses both hands. Straighten both hands with the palms facing upwards, and the dominant hand further out than the non-dominant hand. Move the hands away from you, keeping the palms facing up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually motivated. The flat, upward-facing hands mimic the literal, physical action of holding a substantial object—like a box, a stack of papers, or a tray—and physically handing it over to someone else. Moving the hands away from your body perfectly illustrates the transfer of possession.
Signing Tips
Think of 'give' as a directional verb. While the basic movement is away from your body to mean 'I give to you,' you can adjust the direction of your movement to show exactly who is giving what to whom. Keep your hands flat and relaxed, as if you are offering a physical tray to someone.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is curling the fingers inward or pinching the thumb and index finger. While pinched handshapes are used for giving tiny objects, this specific sign requires flat, open hands. Additionally, make sure your dominant hand stays slightly further out than your non-dominant hand rather than keeping them perfectly side-by-side.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Give" in a Sentence
1I will give you the book.
Sign 'book', then use the flat-handed 'give' sign, moving your upward-facing hands away from your body directly toward the person you are giving it to.
2Please give that to him.
Point to the object and then to the person receiving it. Next, perform the 'give' sign by moving your flat, upward-facing hands in their specific direction.
3She loves to give gifts.
After signing 'gift', perform the 'give' sign by moving both flat hands outward. You can sweep the motion slightly to show giving to multiple people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the direction of this sign?
Yes! 'Give' is a directional verb in ASL. While the basic sign moves away from you to mean 'I give to you,' you can move your flat hands toward yourself to mean 'give it to me,' or toward a third person to mean 'give it to them.'
Does it matter which hand is further out?
Yes, your dominant hand should be positioned slightly further out from your body than your non-dominant hand. This staggered positioning helps keep the sign visually balanced and feels more natural as you extend your arms outward.
Why are my hands flat instead of pinched together?
The flat-handed version of 'give' is often used to represent handing over a larger object, a stack of items, or making a general offering. A pinched handshape is sometimes used for smaller items, but the flat hands shown here are perfect for the general concept of giving.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!