How to Sign "In"
Take your non dominant hand in the “C” handshape palm facing out with your dominant hand in a flattened “O” handshape, and placing it inside your non dominant hand
Examples Using "In" in a Sentence
1
Put the book in your backpack.
Sign 'book,' then use the sign for 'in' by placing your dominant flattened 'O' hand into your non-dominant 'C' handshape, followed by 'backpack.' This clearly shows the action of placing an object inside a container.
2
The cat is in the box.
After signing 'cat' and 'box,' use the 'in' sign. You can emphasize the location by holding the dominant hand inside the 'C' handshape for a brief moment to show a state of being inside.
3
I left my keys in the car.
Sign 'keys' and 'car,' then use the 'in' sign. The motion of placing your flattened 'O' hand into the 'C' handshape perfectly captures the concept of the keys being contained within the vehicle.
How to Sign "In"
Take your non dominant hand in the “C” handshape palm facing out with your dominant hand in a flattened “O” handshape, and placing it inside your non dominant hand
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'in' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The non-dominant hand forms a 'C' shape to mimic a cup, bowl, or any generic container. The dominant hand, forming a flattened 'O' shape, represents an object being held or placed. The motion of putting the dominant hand inside the non-dominant hand literally acts out the physical process of placing something inside a container, making it very intuitive for beginners to remember.
Signing Tips
To make the sign for 'in' look natural, focus on the contrast between your two hands. Keep your non-dominant 'C' handshape steady and relaxed, acting as the stationary container. Your dominant hand, in the flattened 'O' handshape, should do all the moving. Make sure the motion is clear and deliberate, inserting the fingers of your dominant hand directly into the opening of the 'C' hand. Think of it exactly like dropping a handful of pens into a cup on your desk.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving both hands toward each other. Remember that the non-dominant 'C' hand should remain completely still, representing a stationary container, while only the dominant hand moves. Another common error is using a flat hand instead of the flattened 'O' handshape for the dominant hand, which can confuse the sign with 'enter' or 'into.' Ensure your dominant fingers are pinched together as they go inside the 'C' hand.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "In" in a Sentence
1Put the book in your backpack.
Sign 'book,' then use the sign for 'in' by placing your dominant flattened 'O' hand into your non-dominant 'C' handshape, followed by 'backpack.' This clearly shows the action of placing an object inside a container.
2The cat is in the box.
After signing 'cat' and 'box,' use the 'in' sign. You can emphasize the location by holding the dominant hand inside the 'C' handshape for a brief moment to show a state of being inside.
3I left my keys in the car.
Sign 'keys' and 'car,' then use the 'in' sign. The motion of placing your flattened 'O' hand into the 'C' handshape perfectly captures the concept of the keys being contained within the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between 'in' and 'enter' in ASL?
Yes! While they are related, 'enter' usually uses a flat dominant hand that sweeps forward and under a flat, face-down non-dominant hand. 'In' uses a 'C' handshape for the base and a flattened 'O' for the moving hand, focusing on containment rather than movement through a threshold.
Do I need to change the sign if I'm talking about being inside a building?
You can use this standard sign for 'in' for most general situations, including being inside a building. However, ASL often uses spatial setup, so sometimes just signing 'house' and pointing to a location implies 'in the house' without needing the specific sign for 'in'.
Which hand should form the 'C' shape?
Your non-dominant hand should always form the 'C' shape. If you are right-handed, your left hand is the 'C' (the container), and your right hand is the flattened 'O' that moves inside. This follows the ASL rule where the dominant hand performs the primary action.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!