Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Im Sick"

To sign 'I'm sick', form both hands into an 'open 8' handshape by spreading your fingers and bending your middle fingers forward. Touch the middle finger of your dominant hand to your forehead and the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to your stomach at the same time. Be sure to use a facial expression that shows you are feeling unwell.

Examples Using "Im Sick" in a Sentence

1

I can't go to work today, I'm sick.

Start by signing 'work' by tapping your wrists together. Then, shake your head while signing 'can't' by striking your index fingers. Finally, sign 'I'm sick' using the open 8 handshapes on your forehead and stomach, making sure to show an unwell facial expression.

2

I'm sick with a cold.

First, sign 'I'm sick' by touching your forehead and stomach with your bent middle fingers while looking unwell. Then, sign 'cold' by pinching your index finger and thumb together and pulling them down from your nose twice, as if you are wiping a runny nose.

3

I feel like I'm getting sick.

Begin by signing 'feel' by brushing the middle finger of your open 8 handshape upward on your chest. Then, sign 'I'm sick' by touching your forehead and stomach with both hands. Add a slightly concerned or tired facial expression to show you are starting to feel unwell.

How to Sign "Im Sick"
To sign 'I'm sick', form both hands into an 'open 8' handshape by spreading your fingers and bending your middle fingers forward. Touch the middle finger of your dominant hand to your forehead and the middle finger of your non-dominant hand to your stomach at the same time. Be sure to use a facial expression that shows you are feeling unwell.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'sick' is highly iconic and visually logical. It represents the feeling of illness affecting the two most common areas of discomfort in the human body: the head and the stomach. By touching the middle fingers to the forehead and the abdomen simultaneously, the sign symbolizes the internal pain, nausea, or general unease associated with being unwell. This physical connection to the body's center and the head makes the sign very intuitive for beginners to remember and understand.
Signing Tips
Facial expressions are a vital part of ASL grammar and add essential context to your signs. When signing 'I'm sick', make sure your face matches the meaning—scrunch your eyebrows slightly, droop your shoulders, or look genuinely unwell. This helps convey the severity of how you are feeling. Additionally, ensure you are using the correct 'open 8' handshape. Keep your thumb, index, ring, and pinky fingers extended and spread apart, while only your middle fingers bend forward to touch your body.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is using a flat hand or just the index finger instead of the specific 'open 8' handshape. Another frequent error is forgetting to include the necessary facial expression. Without an unwell look on your face, the sign can appear robotic or fail to convey the true feeling of being ill to your conversation partner. Lastly, avoid tapping your hands repeatedly against your body; a single, firm touch to the forehead and stomach is the correct movement.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Im Sick" in a Sentence
1

I can't go to work today, I'm sick.

Start by signing 'work' by tapping your wrists together. Then, shake your head while signing 'can't' by striking your index fingers. Finally, sign 'I'm sick' using the open 8 handshapes on your forehead and stomach, making sure to show an unwell facial expression.

2

I'm sick with a cold.

First, sign 'I'm sick' by touching your forehead and stomach with your bent middle fingers while looking unwell. Then, sign 'cold' by pinching your index finger and thumb together and pulling them down from your nose twice, as if you are wiping a runny nose.

3

I feel like I'm getting sick.

Begin by signing 'feel' by brushing the middle finger of your open 8 handshape upward on your chest. Then, sign 'I'm sick' by touching your forehead and stomach with both hands. Add a slightly concerned or tired facial expression to show you are starting to feel unwell.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign 'I' before signing 'sick'?

In many conversational contexts, simply signing 'sick' while referring to yourself and using an unwell facial expression is enough to convey 'I'm sick.' ASL often relies on context and body language. However, you can certainly point to yourself to sign 'I' first if you want to add emphasis.

Can I use this exact sign to say someone else is sick?

Yes, absolutely! The core sign for 'sick' remains exactly the same. To say 'he is sick' or 'she is sick,' you would first point to the person or their designated space in your signing area, and then perform the 'sick' sign with the appropriate facial expression.

Does it matter which hand goes to the forehead and which goes to the stomach?

Yes, it generally does. Typically, you should use your dominant hand to touch your forehead and your non-dominant hand to touch your stomach. This setup feels the most natural for the majority of signers and is the standard way to execute the sign clearly.

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