To sign "love u" (the "I Love You" or ILY sign), raise your dominant hand with your palm facing outward toward the person you are addressing. Extend your thumb, index finger, and pinky finger straight out. Keep your middle and ring fingers curled down against your palm. Hold the handshape steady.
Use this sign as a quick, affectionate farewell when leaving a friend or family member. Just flash the sign with a warm smile as you wave goodbye.
If someone signs "I love you" to you, you can respond by signing it back, perhaps adding a slight nod or moving the sign slightly forward to emphasize the "too."
When addressing a group of friends, you can make the "I love you" sign and sweep your hand slightly from side to side to show the message is for everyone.
Use this sign as a quick, affectionate farewell when leaving a friend or family member. Just flash the sign with a warm smile as you wave goodbye.
If someone signs "I love you" to you, you can respond by signing it back, perhaps adding a slight nod or moving the sign slightly forward to emphasize the "too."
When addressing a group of friends, you can make the "I love you" sign and sweep your hand slightly from side to side to show the message is for everyone.
This specific handshape (ILY) is a casual, quick way to say "I love you," often used for friends, family, or as a sign-off. The traditional sign for "love" involves crossing both arms over your chest and is used to express deep affection or love for things and concepts.
Yes! While it is typically signed with just your dominant hand, you can hold up both hands in the "I love you" handshape to show extra enthusiasm or to playfully emphasize your affection.
Yes, the ASL "I love you" sign has become internationally recognized. It is widely used in many different countries and Deaf communities around the world as a universal symbol of love, unity, and Deaf pride.
