How to Sign "How"
Place your hands in the “a” handshape with your knuckles toughing. You will then wiggle your dominant hand forward and back a couple of times while furrowing your brows
Examples Using "How" in a Sentence
1
How are you?
Sign "how" by touching your "A" handshape knuckles and wiggling your dominant hand forward and back. Then, point to the person you are asking. Remember to keep your eyebrows furrowed for the question!
2
How do I sign that?
Point to yourself, sign "sign" by rolling your index fingers, point to the concept, and then sign "how" using the wiggling "A" handshapes. Keep your eyebrows furrowed to show you are asking a question.
3
I don't know how.
Point to yourself for "I", sign "don't know" by touching your forehead and turning your hand outward, and finish with "how" by touching your knuckles and wiggling your dominant hand.
How to Sign "How"
Place your hands in the “a” handshape with your knuckles toughing. You will then wiggle your dominant hand forward and back a couple of times while furrowing your brows
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The visual logic of this sign can be thought of as holding a tool or an object in your hands and trying to figure out its function. By placing your "A" handshape knuckles together and wiggling the dominant hand, it mimics the action of twisting, adjusting, or manipulating something while asking, "How does this work?" The furrowed eyebrows naturally accompany the feeling of trying to solve a puzzle.
Signing Tips
To sign "how" clearly, make sure your "A" handshapes are formed correctly with your thumbs resting against the side of your curled index fingers. Keep your non-dominant hand steady as an anchor while your dominant hand does the wiggling motion forward and back. Most importantly, do not forget your facial expressions! Since "how" is a "Wh-" question, you must furrow your eyebrows. This facial grammar is just as important as the hand movement itself.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving both hands equally instead of keeping the non-dominant hand still. Remember, only your dominant hand should wiggle forward and back while the knuckles remain touching. Another common error is forgetting the facial expression. If you sign "how" with raised eyebrows or a neutral face, it can confuse the person you are talking to. Always furrow your eyebrows when asking a "how" question.
Regional Variations
While the wiggling "A" handshape version is widely understood, you will often see another very common variation for "how". In this alternative, both hands start with knuckles touching in curved handshapes, and then both hands roll outward and upward to face the sky. Both are correct, but stick to the wiggling dominant hand version taught here as you build your foundational vocabulary.
Examples Using "How" in a Sentence
1How are you?
Sign "how" by touching your "A" handshape knuckles and wiggling your dominant hand forward and back. Then, point to the person you are asking. Remember to keep your eyebrows furrowed for the question!
2How do I sign that?
Point to yourself, sign "sign" by rolling your index fingers, point to the concept, and then sign "how" using the wiggling "A" handshapes. Keep your eyebrows furrowed to show you are asking a question.
3I don't know how.
Point to yourself for "I", sign "don't know" by touching your forehead and turning your hand outward, and finish with "how" by touching your knuckles and wiggling your dominant hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need to furrow my eyebrows when signing "how"?
In ASL, facial expressions act as grammar. For "Wh-" questions—like who, what, where, when, why, and how—furrowing your eyebrows signals to the other person that you are asking a question that requires more than a simple yes or no answer.
Should my knuckles stay touching the whole time?
Yes! Keep the knuckles of your "A" handshapes touching as a pivot point. While your dominant hand wiggles forward and back, it should remain in contact with your steady non-dominant hand to make the sign clear and recognizable.
Can I wiggle both hands instead of just my dominant hand?
For this specific variation, it is best to keep your non-dominant hand stationary as a base. Wiggling only your dominant hand forward and back creates a cleaner, more precise sign that is easier for others to read.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!