How to Sign "Good Day"
To sign "good day," combine the signs for "good" and "day." First, sign "good" by placing the fingers of your flat dominant hand against your chin, then bringing it down to rest on your flat, palm-up non-dominant hand. Next, sign "day" by keeping your non-dominant arm horizontal across your body, palm facing down, to represent the horizon. Rest your dominant elbow on the back of your non-dominant hand, and with your dominant hand flat, slowly lower your dominant arm in an arc to represent the sun setting.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This phrase combines two highly iconic signs. 'Good' originates from the concept of tasting something delicious and offering it forward. 'Day' is a visual representation of nature, where the non-dominant arm acts as the horizon and the dominant arm traces the sun's path from high in the sky down to sunset.
Signing Tips
Focus on a smooth transition between the two signs. After your dominant hand comes down for 'good', your non-dominant hand is already in position—simply turn it palm-down to act as the horizon for the 'day' sign.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is dropping the dominant arm straight down during the 'day' sign. Make sure to move your arm in a deliberate, sweeping arc to clearly mimic the sun moving across the sky.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Good Day" in a Sentence
1Have a good day!
This is a very common and friendly farewell. You can sign "good day" as you part ways with friends, colleagues, or classmates to wish them well.
2Today is a good day.
Use this phrase to express positive feelings about your day. Sign "today" followed by the smooth combination of "good" and "day."
3I hope you have a good day at work.
This is a great way to send someone off to their job. Sign "hope," then "good day," and finish with the sign for "work."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign 'good day' with just one hand?
While 'good' is sometimes signed with one hand in very casual, fast-paced conversation, the sign for 'day' requires both hands to clearly establish the horizon and the sun. It is best for beginners to practice using both hands for clarity.
Is 'good day' used as a greeting or a goodbye?
In ASL, 'good day' is most frequently used as a polite and friendly farewell, much like saying 'have a good day' in English. For a standard greeting, it is more common to simply sign 'hello' or 'good morning'.
What handshape should my dominant hand be for 'day'?
In this variation, the dominant hand is flat (a 'B' handshape) as it moves down. You may also see some signers use an extended index finger (a 'D' handshape) for the sun, but the flat hand shown here is very common and perfectly correct.
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