Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Heartbeat"

To sign 'heartbeat', form a loose fist with your dominant hand. Place the palm side of your fist over your heart on the left side of your chest. Tap your hand against your chest a couple of times, mimicking the rhythmic pulsing of a beating heart.

Examples Using "Heartbeat" in a Sentence

1

My heartbeat is very fast.

Start by signing 'my', then perform the sign for 'heartbeat'. To convey the meaning effectively, you can actually tap your chest more rapidly to show the fast pace, and then finish with the sign for 'fast'. Your facial expression should also reflect a sense of urgency or excitement.

2

I can feel your heartbeat.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel' by brushing your middle finger up your chest, point to the other person for 'your', and then sign 'heartbeat' over your own chest. This is a great phrase to practice combining pronouns with sensory verbs and body-related vocabulary.

3

The doctor listened to my heartbeat.

Sign 'doctor' by tapping your wrist, then sign 'listen'. Follow this by signing 'my', and finally perform the sign for 'heartbeat'. You can use your eye gaze and body language to show the interaction between the doctor and yourself during the examination.

How to Sign "Heartbeat"
To sign 'heartbeat', form a loose fist with your dominant hand. Place the palm side of your fist over your heart on the left side of your chest. Tap your hand against your chest a couple of times, mimicking the rhythmic pulsing of a beating heart.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'heartbeat' is highly iconic and relies on a direct visual representation of the concept. The placement of your hand over the left side of your chest clearly indicates the physical location of the human heart. Meanwhile, the rhythmic tapping motion of your fist directly mimics the physical sensation and movement of a heart beating inside the chest. This makes it a very intuitive sign for beginners to learn and remember.
Signing Tips
When signing 'heartbeat', focus on the rhythm and placement of the movement. The taps should be steady and rhythmic, just like a real heartbeat. Keep your hand relaxed as a loose fist rather than a tight, tense one. You can also modify this sign to tell a story; if you are describing a moment of panic or excitement, you can tap your chest faster and harder to show a racing heartbeat. Conversely, a slow, gentle tap can indicate calmness.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is tapping too hard or too fast by default, which can look aggressive rather than natural. Unless you are intentionally describing a racing heart, keep the movement steady and controlled. Additionally, make sure you place your hand specifically on the left side of your chest over your heart. Placing your hand in the center of your chest or on the right side will look incorrect and might confuse the person you are signing with.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Heartbeat" in a Sentence
1

My heartbeat is very fast.

Start by signing 'my', then perform the sign for 'heartbeat'. To convey the meaning effectively, you can actually tap your chest more rapidly to show the fast pace, and then finish with the sign for 'fast'. Your facial expression should also reflect a sense of urgency or excitement.

2

I can feel your heartbeat.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'feel' by brushing your middle finger up your chest, point to the other person for 'your', and then sign 'heartbeat' over your own chest. This is a great phrase to practice combining pronouns with sensory verbs and body-related vocabulary.

3

The doctor listened to my heartbeat.

Sign 'doctor' by tapping your wrist, then sign 'listen'. Follow this by signing 'my', and finally perform the sign for 'heartbeat'. You can use your eye gaze and body language to show the interaction between the doctor and yourself during the examination.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to mean 'heart'?

While the concepts are closely related, the sign for 'heart' typically uses the middle finger to tap the chest or involves drawing a heart shape over the chest. 'Heartbeat' specifically focuses on the rhythmic pulsing motion with a loose fist to show the action of the heart.

Does the speed of the tapping matter?

Yes, the speed can completely change the context! You can adjust the speed and intensity of your tapping to show if the heartbeat is fast, slow, or irregular. This is a great way to add descriptive meaning and emotion to your signing without needing extra words.

Which hand should I use to sign this?

You should generally use your dominant hand to perform the tapping motion. Even if you are right-handed, you will reach across your body to tap over the left side of your chest, as that is where the heart is physically located.

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