How to Sign "Hurry"

To sign "hurry," form 'H' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers together while tucking your thumbs over your curled ring and pinky fingers. Hold your hands in front of your body with the extended fingers pointing forward. Move both hands up and down quickly a few times to convey a sense of rushing.

Examples Using "Hurry" in a Sentence

1

Hurry up, we're going to be late!

Sign "hurry" with a sharp, fast movement and an urgent facial expression to emphasize the rush, followed by the sign for "late."

2

There's no need to hurry.

Sign "hurry" with a more relaxed, gentle motion, accompanied by a negative head shake to show that there is absolutely no rush.

3

I had to hurry to finish my homework.

Use the "hurry" sign to show the rushed action of completing your work, followed by the signs for "finish" and "homework."

How to Sign "Hurry"
To sign "hurry," form 'H' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers together while tucking your thumbs over your curled ring and pinky fingers. Hold your hands in front of your body with the extended fingers pointing forward. Move both hands up and down quickly a few times to convey a sense of rushing.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This is an initialized sign, meaning it incorporates the first letter of the English word it translates. The 'H' handshapes stand for "hurry." The quick, bouncing up-and-down motion visually mimics the feeling of rushing, bustling, or moving at a rapid, frantic pace.
Signing Tips
To make your sign look natural, focus the up-and-down movement in your wrists rather than swinging your whole arms. The speed of your movement should match the level of urgency—a slight rush gets a moderate bounce, while a frantic rush requires a very fast, tense movement. Always pair this sign with an appropriate facial expression, like widened eyes or a stressed look, to fully convey the meaning.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is separating the index and middle fingers into a 'V' handshape instead of keeping them glued together in an 'H' handshape. Another frequent error is moving the arms too rigidly from the shoulders; keep the movement localized to your wrists and forearms. Finally, forgetting to use an urgent facial expression can make the sign feel flat and lose its intended meaning.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Hurry" in a Sentence
1

Hurry up, we're going to be late!

Sign "hurry" with a sharp, fast movement and an urgent facial expression to emphasize the rush, followed by the sign for "late."

2

There's no need to hurry.

Sign "hurry" with a more relaxed, gentle motion, accompanied by a negative head shake to show that there is absolutely no rush.

3

I had to hurry to finish my homework.

Use the "hurry" sign to show the rushed action of completing your work, followed by the signs for "finish" and "homework."

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign to tell someone to rush?

Yes! You can use this sign as a command to tell someone to "hurry up." Just make sure your facial expression looks urgent and you direct your eye contact toward the person you are addressing.

Is there a difference between the signs for "hurry" and "fast"?

Yes, they are completely different signs. "Fast" is typically signed by pulling 'L' handshapes back into 'S' handshapes or flicking the index fingers, whereas "hurry" uses the bouncing 'H' handshapes.

Should I move my hands together or alternating?

You can do either! Moving both hands up and down simultaneously is very common, but alternating them (one goes up while the other goes down) is also a widely accepted and natural way to sign "hurry."

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