Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Guinea Pig"

To sign *guinea pig*, start by making the sign for *animal*. Bend the fingers of both hands so your fingertips touch your upper chest near your collarbones, and pivot your hands slightly inward. Then, move both hands forward into the space in front of you while transitioning your handshapes. Form the ASL letter 'G' with your non-dominant hand and the letter 'P' with your dominant hand, holding them side-by-side.

Examples Using "Guinea Pig" in a Sentence

1

My guinea pig loves to eat carrots.

To sign this sentence, start by placing a flat hand on your chest for 'MY', then perform the compound sign for 'GUINEA PIG' (ANIMAL + G-P). Follow this by signing 'LOVE' over your heart, 'EAT' by tapping your mouth, and finally 'CARROTS' by mimicking biting a carrot.

2

I clean the guinea pig cage every week.

Begin by pointing to yourself for 'I', then sign 'CLEAN' by sliding your dominant flat hand across your non-dominant flat hand. Sign 'GUINEA PIG', then 'CAGE' by interlacing your fingers to show bars. Finish with the sign for 'EVERY-WEEK' by sliding your index finger forward across your palm.

3

She has two fluffy guinea pigs.

Point to the person for 'SHE', then sign 'HAVE' by tapping your chest with bent hands. Hold up the number 'TWO', sign 'SOFT/FLUFFY' by gently squeezing your hands together, and conclude with the compound sign for 'GUINEA PIG'. You do not need to add an 'S' for plural.

How to Sign "Guinea Pig"
To sign *guinea pig*, start by making the sign for *animal*. Bend the fingers of both hands so your fingertips touch your upper chest near your collarbones, and pivot your hands slightly inward. Then, move both hands forward into the space in front of you while transitioning your handshapes. Form the ASL letter 'G' with your non-dominant hand and the letter 'P' with your dominant hand, holding them side-by-side.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for *guinea pig* shown here is a classic example of a compound initialized sign in American Sign Language. It begins with the standard ASL sign for *animal*, which visually establishes the broad category of the topic. By touching the chest, it references the lungs or breath, symbolizing a living creature. The second half of the sign uses the manual alphabet to provide the specific initials 'G' and 'P'. Together, these two parts visually communicate 'the animal known by the initials G.P.'
Signing Tips
When signing *guinea pig*, focus on making a smooth, fluid transition between the two distinct parts of the compound sign. Start with a clear and recognizable sign for *animal* on your chest, then smoothly push your hands forward into the neutral space in front of you. As you move your hands forward, simultaneously form the 'G' and 'P' handshapes. Ensure that your non-dominant hand forms the 'G' and your dominant hand forms the 'P' so that the letters read in the correct left-to-right order from your own perspective.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is skipping the initial *animal* sign and only holding up the 'G' and 'P' handshapes. While this might be understood in context, including *animal* makes your meaning much clearer. Another frequent error is mixing up which hand signs which letter. If you sign 'P' with your non-dominant hand and 'G' with your dominant hand, you are essentially spelling 'P-G' instead of 'G-P'. Always ensure your non-dominant hand signs the first letter so it reads correctly.
Regional Variations
Because there is no single universally standardized sign for *guinea pig* across all regions, you will likely encounter a few variations. A very common alternative is to simply fingerspell the word G-U-I-N-E-A and then perform the standard ASL sign for *pig* (flapping a flat hand under the chin). In highly contextual conversations where it is already clear you are talking about pets, some signers may drop the *animal* portion entirely and just sign the letters 'G' and 'P' in the neutral space in front of them.
Examples Using "Guinea Pig" in a Sentence
1

My guinea pig loves to eat carrots.

To sign this sentence, start by placing a flat hand on your chest for 'MY', then perform the compound sign for 'GUINEA PIG' (ANIMAL + G-P). Follow this by signing 'LOVE' over your heart, 'EAT' by tapping your mouth, and finally 'CARROTS' by mimicking biting a carrot.

2

I clean the guinea pig cage every week.

Begin by pointing to yourself for 'I', then sign 'CLEAN' by sliding your dominant flat hand across your non-dominant flat hand. Sign 'GUINEA PIG', then 'CAGE' by interlacing your fingers to show bars. Finish with the sign for 'EVERY-WEEK' by sliding your index finger forward across your palm.

3

She has two fluffy guinea pigs.

Point to the person for 'SHE', then sign 'HAVE' by tapping your chest with bent hands. Hold up the number 'TWO', sign 'SOFT/FLUFFY' by gently squeezing your hands together, and conclude with the compound sign for 'GUINEA PIG'. You do not need to add an 'S' for plural.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a single, universal sign for guinea pig?

No, there is no single universally accepted sign for *guinea pig* in ASL. The version shown here—combining *animal* with the initials 'G' and 'P'—is very popular. Another widely used method is to fingerspell G-U-I-N-E-A and then use the standard sign for *pig*.

Do I always have to sign *animal* first?

Not always. The *animal* portion provides helpful context, especially if you are introducing the topic. However, if you are already having a conversation about pets, some signers will drop the first part and simply hold up the 'G' and 'P' handshapes to save time.

Which hand should sign the 'G' and which should sign the 'P'?

To ensure the letters read in the correct left-to-right order from your perspective, use your non-dominant hand (usually your left hand) to form the 'G' and your dominant hand (usually your right hand) to form the 'P'. This keeps the spelling clear for the person watching.

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