How to Sign "Go To Bed"

To sign 'go to bed,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of your chest, with the palm facing down. This hand represents the bed's blankets. Next, take your dominant hand, also flat with the palm facing down, and slide it underneath your non-dominant hand. This sliding motion mimics a person getting under the covers to go to sleep.

Examples Using "Go To Bed" in a Sentence

1

It's late, I need to go to bed.

Sign 'LATE,' point to yourself for 'I,' sign 'NEED,' and then use the sliding motion of 'GO TO BED' to finish the sentence.

2

What time do you go to bed?

Sign 'TIME,' point to the person for 'YOU,' sign 'GO TO BED,' and furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'wh-' question.

3

The kids refused to go to bed.

Sign 'CHILDREN,' sign 'REFUSE' by throwing a thumb over your shoulder, and then sign 'GO TO BED' while shaking your head slightly.

How to Sign "Go To Bed"
To sign 'go to bed,' start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of your chest, with the palm facing down. This hand represents the bed's blankets. Next, take your dominant hand, also flat with the palm facing down, and slide it underneath your non-dominant hand. This sliding motion mimics a person getting under the covers to go to sleep.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the physical act of getting into bed. Your non-dominant hand acts as the bed's blanket or covers, while your dominant hand represents a person's body or legs. Sliding the dominant hand underneath perfectly mimics the action of slipping under the covers for a good night's rest.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat to clearly represent the bed or blanket. Ensure your dominant hand slides smoothly and directly underneath it. You can adjust the speed of the slide to match the mood—a slow slide might mean you are exhausted, while a quick slide could mean you are hurrying to sleep!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is moving both hands at the same time. Remember that your non-dominant hand acts as the stationary bed or blanket, so it should stay perfectly still while your dominant hand does all the moving. Also, make sure your dominant hand slides under the non-dominant hand, not over it.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Go To Bed" in a Sentence
1

It's late, I need to go to bed.

Sign 'LATE,' point to yourself for 'I,' sign 'NEED,' and then use the sliding motion of 'GO TO BED' to finish the sentence.

2

What time do you go to bed?

Sign 'TIME,' point to the person for 'YOU,' sign 'GO TO BED,' and furrow your eyebrows at the end to indicate a 'wh-' question.

3

The kids refused to go to bed.

Sign 'CHILDREN,' sign 'REFUSE' by throwing a thumb over your shoulder, and then sign 'GO TO BED' while shaking your head slightly.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign different from the sign for 'sleep' or 'bed'?

Yes! The standard sign for 'bed' or 'sleep' typically involves placing your open hands together and resting them against the side of your face, like a pillow. The sign shown here specifically means the physical action of getting into bed or going under the covers.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should be the one on top acting as the stationary blanket. Your dominant hand should be the one sliding underneath, representing you actively getting into the bed.

Can I use this sign to tell my dog to go to bed?

While you can, this sign is strongly associated with a human getting under blankets. For a dog, it might make more visual sense to point to their physical dog bed or use the standard sign for 'bed' (hands by the cheek).

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!