Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Interested"

To sign 'interested', start with both hands open, palms facing your body, with your middle fingers bent slightly inward. Place your dominant hand near your nose and your non-dominant hand near your chest. Move both hands forward simultaneously while closing them into 'A' handshapes (fists with thumbs resting on the side). Your facial expression should look engaged or curious to match the meaning.

Examples Using "Interested" in a Sentence

1

I am interested in learning ASL.

Point to yourself, sign 'interested', and then sign 'learn ASL'. Make sure to look enthusiastic to match the sentiment!

2

That book is very interesting.

Point to the book (or sign 'book'), then sign 'interested' with an exaggerated, wide-eyed facial expression to convey the concept of 'very'.

3

Are you interested?

Point to the person, sign 'interested', and raise your eyebrows while leaning forward slightly to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Interested"
To sign 'interested', start with both hands open, palms facing your body, with your middle fingers bent slightly inward. Place your dominant hand near your nose and your non-dominant hand near your chest. Move both hands forward simultaneously while closing them into 'A' handshapes (fists with thumbs resting on the side). Your facial expression should look engaged or curious to match the meaning.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'interested' is highly iconic and visually represents a feeling or thought being drawn out of you. With one hand placed near your mind (the nose area) and the other near your heart or gut (the chest area), the forward pulling motion beautifully illustrates the concept of being physically drawn toward something that captures your attention. It is as if the fascinating subject is literally pulling your thoughts and feelings toward it, making the sign very intuitive to remember.
Signing Tips
When signing 'interested', ensure both hands move forward in unison. The starting handshape is similar to the 'feel' or 'like' handshape, where the middle finger is slightly bent towards the body. Make sure your dominant hand is the one placed higher up near your face. Most importantly, let your face do the talking! An engaged, curious facial expression is essential to convey the true feeling of being interested. Without it, the sign loses its emotional impact.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving only the dominant hand instead of both hands together. Another common error is starting with closed fists rather than open hands; the hands must start open and smoothly close into 'A' handshapes as they move forward. Additionally, placing the hands too close together or swapping the dominant and non-dominant hand positions can look awkward. Finally, signing this with a blank face will make it look unnatural, so always remember to show your interest through your facial expression.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Interested" in a Sentence
1

I am interested in learning ASL.

Point to yourself, sign 'interested', and then sign 'learn ASL'. Make sure to look enthusiastic to match the sentiment!

2

That book is very interesting.

Point to the book (or sign 'book'), then sign 'interested' with an exaggerated, wide-eyed facial expression to convey the concept of 'very'.

3

Are you interested?

Point to the person, sign 'interested', and raise your eyebrows while leaning forward slightly to indicate that you are asking a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Are 'interested' and 'interesting' the same sign?

Yes, in ASL, 'interested' and 'interesting' use the exact same sign. ASL often relies on context rather than separate vocabulary words for different parts of speech. The context of your sentence and your facial expression will clarify the exact meaning for the person you are signing with.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, hand placement is important for clarity. Typically, your dominant hand should be the higher one, placed near your nose or face. Your non-dominant hand should be the lower one, positioned near your chest. Keeping this consistent helps your signing look natural and easy to understand.

Can I sign this with just one hand?

While you might occasionally see fluent signers casually use one hand in rapid, informal conversation, the standard and clearest way to sign 'interested' is by using both hands. As a beginner, it is highly recommended to practice the two-handed version to build good habits and ensure you are clearly understood.

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