Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Good Afternoon"

To sign 'good afternoon', combine the signs for 'good' and 'afternoon'. Start by placing the fingers of your flat dominant hand against your chin. Bring it down so the back of your hand rests on the palm of your flat, upward-facing non-dominant hand. Then, keep your non-dominant arm horizontal across your body to represent the horizon. Rest the elbow of your dominant arm on the back of your non-dominant hand, angling your dominant hand forward and slightly downward to represent the sun lowering in the sky.

Examples Using "Good Afternoon" in a Sentence

1

Good afternoon, everyone!

Sign 'good afternoon' with a warm, welcoming facial expression, followed by a sweeping gesture to indicate the group you are greeting.

2

I have a meeting this afternoon.

Sign 'I', 'have', 'meeting', and then use just the 'afternoon' portion of the sign to indicate the time of day.

3

Have a good afternoon.

Sign 'have', then smoothly transition into the full 'good afternoon' sign as a polite farewell.

How to Sign "Good Afternoon"
To sign 'good afternoon', combine the signs for 'good' and 'afternoon'. Start by placing the fingers of your flat dominant hand against your chin. Bring it down so the back of your hand rests on the palm of your flat, upward-facing non-dominant hand. Then, keep your non-dominant arm horizontal across your body to represent the horizon. Rest the elbow of your dominant arm on the back of your non-dominant hand, angling your dominant hand forward and slightly downward to represent the sun lowering in the sky.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This compound sign is highly visual. 'Good' originates from the gesture of offering something positive from the mouth. 'Afternoon' visually depicts the sun (your dominant hand) having passed the midpoint of the sky and beginning its descent toward the horizon (your non-dominant arm).
Signing Tips
Focus on a smooth transition between the two words. After signing 'good', your non-dominant hand is already in the perfect position to act as the horizon line for 'afternoon'.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is pointing the dominant hand straight up during the second half of the sign. Straight up means 'noon', while pointing straight down means 'night'. For 'afternoon', ensure your arm is at a 45-degree angle.
Regional Variations
In casual or fast conversation, some signers abbreviate 'good' by moving the dominant hand directly from the chin into the 'afternoon' position, skipping the step where it rests on the non-dominant palm.
Examples Using "Good Afternoon" in a Sentence
1

Good afternoon, everyone!

Sign 'good afternoon' with a warm, welcoming facial expression, followed by a sweeping gesture to indicate the group you are greeting.

2

I have a meeting this afternoon.

Sign 'I', 'have', 'meeting', and then use just the 'afternoon' portion of the sign to indicate the time of day.

3

Have a good afternoon.

Sign 'have', then smoothly transition into the full 'good afternoon' sign as a polite farewell.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use two hands to sign 'good afternoon'?

Yes, both 'good' and 'afternoon' rely on the non-dominant hand to act as a base or reference point. While 'good' can sometimes be signed one-handed in casual settings, 'afternoon' requires the non-dominant arm to show the horizon.

How do I tell the difference between noon, afternoon, and night?

It all depends on the angle of your dominant arm resting on the horizon arm. If it points straight up, it is 'noon'. If it angles forward and down, it is 'afternoon'. If your dominant hand points straight down or moves over the horizon arm, it is 'night'.

Should my dominant hand bounce during 'afternoon'?

A slight, gentle bounce or double movement of the dominant arm is common and natural when signing 'afternoon', emphasizing the time of day.

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