Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Hand"

To sign “Hand”, Using your hands up in the air and into the “B” or flat handshapes with thumbs out and palms toward you. Then whether hand brushing another hand’s front and back few times. This sign is “using a blade slicing the fingers”.

Examples Using "Hand" in a Sentence

1

My hand is cold.

Sign 'my' by placing a flat hand on your chest. Then, sign 'hand' by brushing the front and back of your non-dominant flat hand with your dominant hand. Finish with the sign for 'cold', shivering with both 'S' hands.

2

Please wash your hands.

Sign 'please' by rubbing your chest in a circle, then sign 'wash' by rubbing your hands together. Emphasize the subject by signing 'hand', brushing the front and back of your flat hand with the other.

3

Your hand is small.

Point to the person to sign 'your', then sign 'hand' by brushing the front and back of your flat hand. Finally, sign 'small' by holding your hands in front of you and bringing them close together.

How to Sign "Hand"
To sign “Hand”, Using your hands up in the air and into the “B” or flat handshapes with thumbs out and palms toward you. Then whether hand brushing another hand’s front and back few times. This sign is “using a blade slicing the fingers”.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and literal. By using one hand to physically brush the front and back of the other hand, you are visually highlighting the entire surface area of the body part you are referring to, drawing direct attention to the hand itself.
Signing Tips
To sign 'hand' clearly, make sure both of your hands are in a flat 'B' handshape with your fingers together and your thumbs extended outward. Keep your non-dominant hand relatively still while your dominant hand does the brushing motion. Ensure you brush both the front (palm) and the back of the hand to fully complete the sign. Keep your movements smooth and relaxed.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is only brushing the palm or only the back of the hand, rather than both sides. Beginners also sometimes forget to keep their fingers together in the flat 'B' handshape, accidentally spreading their fingers apart. Make sure your thumbs stay extended and your fingers remain closed.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Hand" in a Sentence
1

My hand is cold.

Sign 'my' by placing a flat hand on your chest. Then, sign 'hand' by brushing the front and back of your non-dominant flat hand with your dominant hand. Finish with the sign for 'cold', shivering with both 'S' hands.

2

Please wash your hands.

Sign 'please' by rubbing your chest in a circle, then sign 'wash' by rubbing your hands together. Emphasize the subject by signing 'hand', brushing the front and back of your flat hand with the other.

3

Your hand is small.

Point to the person to sign 'your', then sign 'hand' by brushing the front and back of your flat hand. Finally, sign 'small' by holding your hands in front of you and bringing them close together.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which hand does the moving?

Yes, typically your dominant hand should be the one doing the active brushing motion, while your non-dominant hand serves as the stationary base.

Do I need to brush the front and back multiple times?

Brushing the front and back just once or twice is usually enough. Doing it a few times makes the sign clear, but you don't need to repeat it excessively.

Should my palms face me or away from me?

Start with your palms facing toward you. This makes it much easier and more natural for your dominant hand to brush the front and back of your base hand.

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