Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Hurry Up"

To sign 'hurry up', form both hands into 'H' handshapes, 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 your palms facing each other. Move your hands up and down in a quick, alternating motion. Your right hand should go up while your left hand goes down, repeating this briskly to show urgency.

Examples Using "Hurry Up" in a Sentence

1

Hurry up, we are going to be late!

Sign 'hurry up' with a panicked or urgent facial expression to show the stress of the situation. Follow this by pointing to your wrist for 'time' and signing 'late' while keeping that rushed energy.

2

Please hurry up and finish your work.

Start with the sign for 'please' on your chest, then use a firm but polite expression while signing 'hurry up'. Finish the sentence with the signs for 'finish' and 'work' to complete the command.

3

I need to hurry up.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need' with a strong downward motion, and then sign 'hurry up' with a quick, brisk motion to show personal urgency and a desire to move faster.

How to Sign "Hurry Up"
To sign 'hurry up', form both hands into 'H' handshapes, 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 your palms facing each other. Move your hands up and down in a quick, alternating motion. Your right hand should go up while your left hand goes down, repeating this briskly to show urgency.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'hurry up' is an initialized sign, meaning it incorporates the first letter of the English word it translates. It uses the 'H' handshape for 'Hurry'. The quick, alternating up-and-down movement of the hands visually represents a sense of rushing, agitation, or moving quickly. This energetic motion naturally mimics the physical feeling of scrambling to get something done before time runs out.
Signing Tips
Your facial expression is just as important as your hands for this sign! To convey true urgency, widen your eyes, furrow your brow slightly, or mouth the word 'hurry'. Make sure the up-and-down movement of your 'H' hands is quick and brisk to match the meaning. Keep the motion centered in your wrists and forearms rather than swinging your entire arms, which keeps the sign looking natural and conversational.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is moving their hands too slowly, which completely loses the sense of urgency the sign requires. Another frequent error is using the whole arm to make the movement instead of isolating it to the wrists and forearms. Finally, forgetting to use an urgent facial expression can make the sign feel flat or confusing, as ASL relies heavily on the face to show tone.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Hurry Up" in a Sentence
1

Hurry up, we are going to be late!

Sign 'hurry up' with a panicked or urgent facial expression to show the stress of the situation. Follow this by pointing to your wrist for 'time' and signing 'late' while keeping that rushed energy.

2

Please hurry up and finish your work.

Start with the sign for 'please' on your chest, then use a firm but polite expression while signing 'hurry up'. Finish the sentence with the signs for 'finish' and 'work' to complete the command.

3

I need to hurry up.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need' with a strong downward motion, and then sign 'hurry up' with a quick, brisk motion to show personal urgency and a desire to move faster.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign 'hurry up' with just one hand?

Yes, in casual conversation, you can sign 'hurry up' using just your dominant hand moving up and down, especially if your other hand is full. However, the two-handed version is standard and does a much better job of emphasizing urgency.

What is the difference between 'hurry' and 'fast'?

While they mean similar things, the signs are different. 'Hurry' uses the 'H' handshapes moving up and down to show rushing. 'Fast' typically uses 'L' handshapes that pull back and snap into 'S' handshapes, focusing purely on the speed of an action rather than a command.

Do I need to mouth the words 'hurry up'?

You don't necessarily have to mouth the exact English words, but your face needs to match the message! Adding an urgent facial expression, widening your eyes, or slightly parting your lips helps convey the rushed, energetic tone of the sign.

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