Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Made"

To sign "made" (which is the exact same sign used for "make"), form both hands into "S" shapes, which look like closed fists with your thumbs wrapped across the front of your fingers. Stack your dominant fist directly on top of your non-dominant fist. Twist the top fist slightly, lift it up just a bit, and bring it back down to tap and twist against the bottom fist again. The movement should be quick and primarily come from your wrists.

Examples Using "Made" in a Sentence

1

I made dinner.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', use the stacked twisting fists for 'made', and then sign 'dinner'. If you want to emphasize that the cooking is completely done, you can add the sign for 'finish' at the end.

2

She made a mistake.

Point to the person for 'she', sign 'made' by twisting your dominant fist over your non-dominant fist, and then sign 'mistake' by tapping a 'Y' handshape against your chin.

3

We made a plan.

Sign 'we' by tapping your index finger from your dominant shoulder to your non-dominant shoulder. Then sign 'made', and smoothly transition into 'plan' by sweeping both flat hands from left to right in front of you.

How to Sign "Made"
To sign "made" (which is the exact same sign used for "make"), form both hands into "S" shapes, which look like closed fists with your thumbs wrapped across the front of your fingers. Stack your dominant fist directly on top of your non-dominant fist. Twist the top fist slightly, lift it up just a bit, and bring it back down to tap and twist against the bottom fist again. The movement should be quick and primarily come from your wrists.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "made" or "make" is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The stacked, twisting fists mimic the physical, hands-on effort of constructing, molding, or putting things together. It looks as though you are holding tools or raw materials and actively shaping them into something new, perfectly capturing the essence of creation and building.
Signing Tips
When signing "made," make sure the movement comes primarily from your wrists rather than your elbows or shoulders. Keep your non-dominant hand relatively still as a stable base while your dominant hand does the twisting and tapping. Remember that ASL does not conjugate verbs for past tense, so you will use this exact same sign whether you are saying "make," "making," or "made." You can establish the past tense by adding a time indicator like "yesterday" or "finish" if the context isn't already clear.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is using the "A" handshape (where the thumb rests on the side of the index finger) instead of the correct "S" handshape (where the thumb wraps across the front of the fingers). Another frequent error is grinding the fists together forcefully; the motion should be a light, crisp tap and twist. Finally, avoid moving both hands equally—your bottom hand should remain mostly stationary while the top hand moves.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Made" in a Sentence
1

I made dinner.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', use the stacked twisting fists for 'made', and then sign 'dinner'. If you want to emphasize that the cooking is completely done, you can add the sign for 'finish' at the end.

2

She made a mistake.

Point to the person for 'she', sign 'made' by twisting your dominant fist over your non-dominant fist, and then sign 'mistake' by tapping a 'Y' handshape against your chin.

3

We made a plan.

Sign 'we' by tapping your index finger from your dominant shoulder to your non-dominant shoulder. Then sign 'made', and smoothly transition into 'plan' by sweeping both flat hands from left to right in front of you.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show the difference between 'make' and 'made'?

In ASL, verbs don't change their physical form to show past tense. You use the exact same sign for 'make' and 'made.' To show it happened in the past, you rely on the context of the conversation or add a time sign like 'yesterday' or 'past' at the beginning of your sentence.

Does my dominant hand have to be on top?

Yes, typically your dominant hand rests on top of your non-dominant hand. The non-dominant hand acts as the base or foundation, while the dominant hand performs the active twisting and tapping motion. This follows the general ASL rule of dominant hand activity.

Can I use this sign for 'made' as in 'made of wood'?

Yes! This sign is very versatile. You can use it for the act of creating something, like 'I made a cake,' as well as for describing what an object is constructed from, such as 'The table is made of wood.'

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