How to Sign "Kidney"
To sign 'kidney', form a 'K' handshape with your dominant hand. Reach to your side or lower back, near your natural waistline where the kidney is located. Tap the 'K' handshape against your side twice.
Examples Using "Kidney" in a Sentence
1
I need to drink more water for my kidneys.
Sign 'water', 'drink', 'more', and then sign 'kidney' by tapping your side with a 'K' handshape.
2
She is a kidney donor.
Point to 'she', sign 'kidney', and then use the sign for 'donate' followed by the 'person' marker.
3
The doctor checked my kidneys.
Sign 'doctor', 'check', and then sign 'kidney'. You can tap both sides of your lower back to emphasize the plural.
How to Sign "Kidney"
To sign 'kidney', form a 'K' handshape with your dominant hand. Reach to your side or lower back, near your natural waistline where the kidney is located. Tap the 'K' handshape against your side twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'kidney' is a classic example of an initialized sign combined with anatomical placement. It uses the 'K' handshape, representing the first letter of the English word, and places it directly on the body where the organ is located. This makes the sign both linguistically tied to English and visually intuitive.
Signing Tips
Focus on forming a crisp 'K' handshape, with your thumb resting on the middle phalanx of your middle finger. When tapping your side, keep the movement light and controlled. You don't need to reach awkwardly far around your back; tapping the side of your lower torso is perfectly acceptable and easily understood.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes tap too high up on their ribcage or too far forward on their stomach. Remember that kidneys are located towards the back of the lower torso, so aim for your side or lower back. Another mistake is using a 'V' handshape instead of a 'K'; make sure your thumb is positioned correctly between your index and middle fingers.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Kidney" in a Sentence
1I need to drink more water for my kidneys.
Sign 'water', 'drink', 'more', and then sign 'kidney' by tapping your side with a 'K' handshape.
2She is a kidney donor.
Point to 'she', sign 'kidney', and then use the sign for 'donate' followed by the 'person' marker.
3The doctor checked my kidneys.
Sign 'doctor', 'check', and then sign 'kidney'. You can tap both sides of your lower back to emphasize the plural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I sign this with one hand or two?
The sign is typically made with just your dominant hand tapping one side of your body. If you are specifically discussing both kidneys, you can use both hands to tap both sides simultaneously, but one hand is standard for the general concept.
Is it okay to just fingerspell the word?
Yes! In medical contexts or if you are unsure of the sign, fingerspelling K-I-D-N-E-Y is perfectly acceptable and very common. However, the initialized sign is helpful for quicker communication.
How hard should I tap my side?
The tap should be gentle and light. There is no need to strike your body forcefully; a soft, double tap with your 'K' handshape is all that is needed to convey the sign clearly.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!