How to Sign "Kiss Me"
To sign 'kiss me', start with your dominant hand slightly in front of you, palm facing inward. Bring your hand toward your face while bringing your fingers and thumb together into a flattened 'O' shape. Tap your fingertips against your chin or lower lip.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and uses directional verb agreement. The flattened 'O' handshape represents a mouth or lips coming together for a kiss. By moving the hand from an outward position inward to your own face, it visually mimics the action of someone else's lips coming to kiss you.
Signing Tips
Because 'kiss' is a directional verb in ASL, the movement shows who is kissing whom. By starting the hand away from your body and bringing it to your own face, you clearly indicate that you are the one receiving the kiss. Keep the movement gentle and natural.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is signing the standard word for 'kiss' (touching the mouth then the cheek) and then adding a separate sign for 'me'. While understandable, it is much more natural in ASL to use the directional movement, bringing the kiss handshape directly to your own face in one fluid motion.
Regional Variations
Some signers may tap their cheek instead of their chin or mouth area, depending on the context of the kiss (e.g., a friendly peck on the cheek versus a romantic kiss on the lips).
Examples Using "Kiss Me" in a Sentence
1Come here and kiss me.
Sign 'come here' by gesturing inward, followed by the 'kiss me' sign, bringing the flattened 'O' handshape directly to your chin.
2Do you want to kiss me?
Raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'want', and then finish with the 'kiss me' sign.
3My dog always tries to kiss me.
Sign 'my dog' and 'always', then use the 'kiss me' sign to show the action directed at yourself. You can exaggerate your facial expression to show your reaction!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign 'me' after signing this?
No, you don't need a separate sign for 'me'. Because the sign moves toward your own body and touches your face, the concept of 'me' is already built into the direction of the movement.
Can I use this sign to say 'I kiss you'?
No, to sign 'I kiss you', you would reverse the direction. You would start the flattened 'O' handshape near your own mouth and move it outward toward the person you are signing to.
Does it matter which hand I use?
You should generally use your dominant hand for this sign. If you are right-handed, use your right hand to bring the flattened 'O' shape to your face.
Related ASL Signs