How to Sign "Lie"
To sign 'lie', relax the hand with the fingers pressed together and the thumb across the palm. With the fingers horizontal, drag the hand under the chin so it goes from the same side as the hand to the side across from it.
Examples Using "Lie" in a Sentence
1
Please don't lie to me.
Sign 'please', then 'lie' by dragging your relaxed hand horizontally under your chin, and point to yourself. Use a serious facial expression and shake your head slightly to emphasize the negative.
2
I think he is telling a lie.
Point to the person you are talking about, sign 'think' by tapping your temple, and then perform the 'lie' sign across your chin. A slightly skeptical look helps convey your doubt.
3
Are you lying?
Point to the person, then sign 'lie'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to lean forward slightly and keep your eyebrows raised while you drag your hand under your chin.
How to Sign "Lie"
To sign 'lie', relax the hand with the fingers pressed together and the thumb across the palm. With the fingers horizontal, drag the hand under the chin so it goes from the same side as the hand to the side across from it.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'lie' is visually motivated by the concept of words being altered or 'sliding' away from the truth. The hand moves sideways across the mouth and chin area, symbolizing that what is being spoken is not straight or direct, but rather deceptive speech.
Signing Tips
Keep the movement smooth and strictly horizontal. Your thumb should be tucked in slightly across the palm, not sticking out. Make sure the side of your index finger lightly brushes or hovers just under your chin as you move it from your dominant side to your non-dominant side.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is using a fully rigid, stiff hand instead of a relaxed one. Another common error is moving the hand outward away from the face rather than dragging it horizontally across the chin. Be careful not to flap the hand under the chin, as that changes the meaning to 'pig'.
Regional Variations
While the relaxed flat hand is very common, you may also see some signers use just their index finger (a '1' handshape) brushing horizontally across the chin to mean 'lie'. Both are widely understood.
Examples Using "Lie" in a Sentence
1Please don't lie to me.
Sign 'please', then 'lie' by dragging your relaxed hand horizontally under your chin, and point to yourself. Use a serious facial expression and shake your head slightly to emphasize the negative.
2I think he is telling a lie.
Point to the person you are talking about, sign 'think' by tapping your temple, and then perform the 'lie' sign across your chin. A slightly skeptical look helps convey your doubt.
3Are you lying?
Point to the person, then sign 'lie'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to lean forward slightly and keep your eyebrows raised while you drag your hand under your chin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my hand need to physically touch my chin?
It can lightly brush the underside of your chin, but it doesn't have to press hard. Many fluent signers simply hover their hand right under the chin as they drag it across.
How do I sign 'liar' instead of just 'lie'?
To sign 'liar', you first sign 'lie' by dragging your hand under your chin, and then immediately add the 'person marker' by sliding both flat hands downward parallel to each other at your sides.
Can I use this sign for lying down in bed?
No, this sign is exclusively used for telling an untruth. If you want to sign 'lie down' as in resting, you would use a completely different sign involving the back of a 'V' handshape resting on your opposite palm.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!