To sign "grocery store," you will combine the signs for "food" and "store." First, form a flattened "O" handshape with your dominant hand (fingertips touching the thumb) and tap your fingertips against your lips twice to sign "food." Then, form flattened "O" handshapes with both hands, hold them in front of you pointing down and slightly forward, and pivot them at the wrists twice to sign "store."
Point to yourself for "I," sign "NEED" with a hooked "X" handshape moving down, sign "GO," and finish with the compound sign "GROCERY STORE" (FOOD + STORE).
Sign "GROCERY STORE" first to establish the topic. Then, sign "CLOSED" by bringing both flat hands together in front of you, as if shutting double doors.
Sign "YOU," then "WORK" by tapping your "S" shaped wrists together, and finally "GROCERY STORE." Remember to raise your eyebrows throughout the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
Point to yourself for "I," sign "NEED" with a hooked "X" handshape moving down, sign "GO," and finish with the compound sign "GROCERY STORE" (FOOD + STORE).
Sign "GROCERY STORE" first to establish the topic. Then, sign "CLOSED" by bringing both flat hands together in front of you, as if shutting double doors.
Sign "YOU," then "WORK" by tapping your "S" shaped wrists together, and finally "GROCERY STORE." Remember to raise your eyebrows throughout the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.
Yes, "grocery store" is a compound sign in ASL. If you only sign "store," it could mean a clothing store, hardware store, or any other shop. Adding "food" clarifies exactly what kind of store you mean.
No, "grocery store" and "supermarket" are generally signed the exact same way in ASL (FOOD + STORE). You can use this compound sign for any store where you primarily buy food.
You should always use your dominant hand to sign "food." When you transition to "store," your non-dominant hand joins in so that both hands are moving symmetrically.
