How to Sign "Hot Chocolate"

To sign 'hot chocolate', form a 'C' handshape with your dominant hand. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down. Place the thumb side of your 'C' hand on the back of your non-dominant hand and move it in a small circular motion.

Examples Using "Hot Chocolate" in a Sentence

1

I want to drink hot chocolate.

Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'DRINK', and then use the 'C' handshape circling on the back of your non-dominant hand for 'HOT CHOCOLATE'.

2

Do you like hot chocolate?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'LIKE', and then sign 'HOT CHOCOLATE'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

3

The hot chocolate is very sweet.

Sign 'HOT CHOCOLATE', then sign 'SWEET' by brushing the fingers of your flat hand downward against your chin.

How to Sign "Hot Chocolate"
To sign 'hot chocolate', form a 'C' handshape with your dominant hand. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down. Place the thumb side of your 'C' hand on the back of your non-dominant hand and move it in a small circular motion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign uses the 'C' handshape, making it an initialized sign for the word 'chocolate'. The circular motion on the back of the hand is thought to visually represent the stirring of a thick liquid or melting chocolate.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand relaxed but steady to act as a clear base. Ensure your dominant hand maintains a distinct 'C' shape as it circles. The circular motion should be smooth and continuous, making light contact with the back of your hand.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a flat hand or an 'O' handshape instead of a 'C' handshape for the dominant hand. Another frequent error is circling the hand in the air rather than making physical contact with the back of the non-dominant hand.
Regional Variations
While the video shows the root sign for 'chocolate', many signers will explicitly add the sign for 'HOT' (forming a 'claw' hand at the mouth and turning it outward) right before signing 'CHOCOLATE' to specify the warm drink.
Examples Using "Hot Chocolate" in a Sentence
1

I want to drink hot chocolate.

Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'DRINK', and then use the 'C' handshape circling on the back of your non-dominant hand for 'HOT CHOCOLATE'.

2

Do you like hot chocolate?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'LIKE', and then sign 'HOT CHOCOLATE'. Remember to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

3

The hot chocolate is very sweet.

Sign 'HOT CHOCOLATE', then sign 'SWEET' by brushing the fingers of your flat hand downward against your chin.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign 'hot' before 'chocolate'?

In many contexts, simply signing 'chocolate' is understood as 'hot chocolate' when talking about warm winter drinks. However, if you want to be completely specific, you can sign 'HOT' right before 'CHOCOLATE'.

Does it matter which way I circle my hand?

Usually, the dominant hand circles outward and around. If you are right-handed, this naturally translates to circling counter-clockwise on the back of your left hand.

Can I use this exact sign for a chocolate bar?

Yes! This is the general sign for the word 'chocolate'. It can be used for chocolate bars, chocolate milk, or hot chocolate, relying on the surrounding context of your sentence to clarify the meaning.

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