How to Sign "Kingkong"
To sign 'King Kong', form both hands into loose claw shapes. Bring them up to your chest with your palms facing inward. Tap your chest a few times, mimicking a large gorilla beating its chest.
Examples Using "Kingkong" in a Sentence
1
Did you see the new King Kong movie?
Sign 'movie', then sign 'King Kong' by beating your chest with clawed hands, and use an inquisitive facial expression to ask the question.
2
King Kong is a giant ape.
Sign 'King Kong', then use classifiers or the sign for 'large' with an exaggerated facial expression to emphasize his giant size.
3
My favorite character is King Kong.
Sign 'my favorite', then finish the sentence with the chest-beating motion for 'King Kong'.
How to Sign "Kingkong"
To sign 'King Kong', form both hands into loose claw shapes. Bring them up to your chest with your palms facing inward. Tap your chest a few times, mimicking a large gorilla beating its chest.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually motivated. It directly mimics the famous chest-beating action of a gorilla, which is the defining physical characteristic of King Kong.
Signing Tips
To make the sign look more natural, puff out your chest slightly and use a strong, confident movement to convey the massive size and power of King Kong.
Common Mistakes
Using flat hands instead of claw shapes. Flat hands tapping the chest can look like a repeated sign for 'my' or 'mine'. Make sure your fingers are bent into a loose claw.
Regional Variations
While the chest-beating motion is universally understood, some signers may choose to fingerspell K-I-N-G K-O-N-G in more formal contexts to distinguish the proper name from the general sign for 'gorilla'.
Examples Using "Kingkong" in a Sentence
1Did you see the new King Kong movie?
Sign 'movie', then sign 'King Kong' by beating your chest with clawed hands, and use an inquisitive facial expression to ask the question.
2King Kong is a giant ape.
Sign 'King Kong', then use classifiers or the sign for 'large' with an exaggerated facial expression to emphasize his giant size.
3My favorite character is King Kong.
Sign 'my favorite', then finish the sentence with the chest-beating motion for 'King Kong'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for King Kong the same as the sign for gorilla?
Yes, the sign for King Kong is often identical to the sign for gorilla, as both use the iconic chest-beating motion. The context of your conversation will make it clear that you are referring to the specific movie character.
Should I alternate my hands or move them together?
You can do either! Alternating the hands is very common and often feels more natural for the chest-beating motion, but tapping them simultaneously is also perfectly acceptable.
Do I need to make an angry face?
You don't necessarily need to look angry, but adopting a confident or intense facial expression helps convey the character's powerful and intimidating nature.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!