How to Sign "Korea"

To sign 'Korea', start with your dominant hand open, fingers together, near the side of your forehead or temple. Move your hand down along the side of your face to your jawline. As you move your hand down, close your fingers and thumb together to form an 'O' handshape.

Examples Using "Korea" in a Sentence

1

I want to visit Korea.

Sign 'I', 'want', 'visit', and then use the sign for 'Korea' by bringing your open hand from your temple down to your jawline, closing it into an 'O' shape.

2

She is from Korea.

Point to the person for 'she', sign 'from', and then perform the sign for 'Korea' on the side of your face.

3

Korean food is delicious.

Sign 'Korea', then 'food', followed by the sign for 'delicious'. The sign for 'Korea' is used here as an adjective to describe the food.

How to Sign "Korea"
To sign 'Korea', start with your dominant hand open, fingers together, near the side of your forehead or temple. Move your hand down along the side of your face to your jawline. As you move your hand down, close your fingers and thumb together to form an 'O' handshape.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is widely considered to be visually motivated by the traditional Korean hat (called a 'gat') worn by men during the Joseon dynasty. The movement traces the wide brim of the hat and the strap that ties under the chin.
Signing Tips
Keep the movement smooth and continuous. Your hand should naturally transition from the open position at your temple to the closed 'O' shape by the time it reaches your jawline. The hand does not need to physically touch your face; hovering just beside it is perfect.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is starting the sign too low on the cheek rather than up near the temple, or forgetting to close the hand into an 'O' shape at the end of the movement. Make sure the full downward motion is visible.
Regional Variations
While this is the general sign for Korea, ASL signers will typically specify 'North' or 'South' before this sign if they need to differentiate between North Korea and South Korea.
Examples Using "Korea" in a Sentence
1

I want to visit Korea.

Sign 'I', 'want', 'visit', and then use the sign for 'Korea' by bringing your open hand from your temple down to your jawline, closing it into an 'O' shape.

2

She is from Korea.

Point to the person for 'she', sign 'from', and then perform the sign for 'Korea' on the side of your face.

3

Korean food is delicious.

Sign 'Korea', then 'food', followed by the sign for 'delicious'. The sign for 'Korea' is used here as an adjective to describe the food.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does this sign mean North Korea or South Korea?

This is the general sign for the country of Korea as a whole. If you need to be specific, you would sign 'North' or 'South' immediately before signing 'Korea'.

Do I have to touch my face when signing Korea?

No, you do not need to make physical contact with your face. You can perform the movement in the space just beside your cheek and jawline.

Can I use my left hand to sign this?

Yes! You should always use your dominant hand for one-handed signs. If you are left-handed, simply perform the sign on the left side of your face.

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