How to Sign "Good"

To make the sign good, take your dominant hand in the closed 5 handshape. Place the tip of your middle finger on lip palms faced inward. Then bring hand down onto your non dominant hand that is placed away from body in the same handshape. You may also see some people sign this with just their dominant hand and them not using their non dominant hand.

Examples Using "Good" in a Sentence

1

Have a good day!

Sign 'have', then sign 'good' by bringing your dominant hand from your lip down to rest on your non-dominant hand, and finish with the sign for 'day'.

2

This food is really good.

Point to the food, sign 'food', and then sign 'good'. You can emphasize how good it is by making your facial expression look pleased and nodding slightly as your dominant hand meets your non-dominant hand.

3

Are you a good student?

Point to the person, sign 'good', then 'student'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Good"
To make the sign good, take your dominant hand in the closed 5 handshape. Place the tip of your middle finger on lip palms faced inward. Then bring hand down onto your non dominant hand that is placed away from body in the same handshape. You may also see some people sign this with just their dominant hand and them not using their non dominant hand.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'good' originates from the idea of offering or presenting something positive. The motion of taking something from the lips (often associated with speaking good words or tasting something pleasant) and laying it open-handed in front of you visually represents offering a good thing or a positive truth to another person.
Signing Tips
When signing 'good,' keep your movements smooth and deliberate. Make sure your dominant hand lands gently but firmly on your non-dominant hand, with the palm facing upward at the end. Your facial expression should match the sentiment—a pleasant or happy face reinforces the positive meaning of the word. If your hands are full, remember you can easily drop the non-dominant hand and just sign the one-handed variation!
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is confusing 'good' with 'bad.' Remember the memory hint: for 'good,' your dominant hand lands with the palm facing upward. If you twist your wrist and land with your palm facing downward, you are signing 'bad.' Additionally, avoid slapping your hands together too loudly; the contact should be a gentle tap rather than a forceful clap.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Good" in a Sentence
1

Have a good day!

Sign 'have', then sign 'good' by bringing your dominant hand from your lip down to rest on your non-dominant hand, and finish with the sign for 'day'.

2

This food is really good.

Point to the food, sign 'food', and then sign 'good'. You can emphasize how good it is by making your facial expression look pleased and nodding slightly as your dominant hand meets your non-dominant hand.

3

Are you a good student?

Point to the person, sign 'good', then 'student'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end of the sentence to indicate you are asking a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign 'good' with just one hand?

Yes! It is very common to see 'good' signed with just the dominant hand, especially in casual conversation or if your other hand is holding something. Just bring your dominant hand from your lip forward and down with the palm facing up.

What is the difference between 'good' and 'thank you'?

The signs are very similar! 'Thank you' is typically a one-handed sign that moves outward from the lip directly toward the person you are thanking. 'Good' usually involves bringing that dominant hand down to rest on your non-dominant hand.

Does it matter which hand is on the bottom?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should act as the base on the bottom. Your dominant hand (the one you write with) is the active hand that starts at your lip and moves down to meet the base hand.

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