Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Mask"

To sign 'mask,' start with both hands in front of your nose and mouth with your palms facing you. Using your index and middle fingers (or a pinched index and thumb), pull both hands outward toward your cheeks and ears. This motion mimics the action of stretching the elastic strings of a medical face mask over your ears.

Examples Using "Mask" in a Sentence

1

Please wear a mask inside.

To sign this sentence, start with 'PLEASE' by rubbing an open hand in a circle on your chest. Follow this with the sign for 'WEAR', and finish with the sign for 'MASK' by tracing the strings over your ears. This is a great phrase for medical settings.

2

I forgot my mask.

Point to yourself for 'I', then sign 'FORGET' by wiping your fingers across your forehead and pulling into an 'A' handshape. Finally, sign 'MASK' over your lower face. This is a very common and practical phrase to know for daily errands.

3

Do you have a medical mask?

Sign 'YOU', then 'HAVE' by bringing both bent hands to your chest. Finish with 'MASK'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward while signing to indicate that you are asking a question.

How to Sign "Mask"
To sign 'mask,' start with both hands in front of your nose and mouth with your palms facing you. Using your index and middle fingers (or a pinched index and thumb), pull both hands outward toward your cheeks and ears. This motion mimics the action of stretching the elastic strings of a medical face mask over your ears.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'mask' is highly iconic and relies on visual representation, acting as a direct pantomime of a familiar daily action. It visually represents the physical motion of taking the elastic ear loops of a medical or surgical face mask and pulling them back to secure them over your ears. Because the Deaf community relies heavily on facial expressions for grammar, the emergence of this specific sign became especially prominent to distinguish a medical mask from a costume mask that covers the eyes.
Signing Tips
When signing 'mask,' focus on the starting and ending locations to make the sign clear. Make sure the movement distinctly starts near your nose and mouth, then pulls outward to your ears, exactly like putting on a real medical mask. Keep your palms facing your face throughout the motion. You can use your index and middle fingers, or a pinched index and thumb, as long as the pulling motion is smooth and deliberate. Adding a slight nod can emphasize the action of securing the mask.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is confusing the location of the sign depending on the context. Placing your hands over your eyes is the sign for a Halloween or costume mask. For a medical or protective face mask, you must ensure the movement stays around the lower half of your face, specifically the nose and mouth area. Additionally, avoid covering your mouth completely with flat hands, as this can look like the sign for 'quiet' or obscure your facial expressions.
Regional Variations
While the 'pulling the strings' motion is widely understood across North America for a medical mask, you may encounter a few variations. Some signers prefer to use a single 'C' handshape placed directly over the nose and mouth to represent the physical mask itself, rather than the action of putting it on. Others might use 'A' hands to mimic grabbing thicker straps. However, the variation shown here is universally recognized and is the standard way to refer to a protective face mask.
Examples Using "Mask" in a Sentence
1

Please wear a mask inside.

To sign this sentence, start with 'PLEASE' by rubbing an open hand in a circle on your chest. Follow this with the sign for 'WEAR', and finish with the sign for 'MASK' by tracing the strings over your ears. This is a great phrase for medical settings.

2

I forgot my mask.

Point to yourself for 'I', then sign 'FORGET' by wiping your fingers across your forehead and pulling into an 'A' handshape. Finally, sign 'MASK' over your lower face. This is a very common and practical phrase to know for daily errands.

3

Do you have a medical mask?

Sign 'YOU', then 'HAVE' by bringing both bent hands to your chest. Finish with 'MASK'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean slightly forward while signing to indicate that you are asking a question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for a medical mask the same as a Halloween mask?

No, they are completely different signs! A medical mask is signed over the nose and mouth to show where it sits. A Halloween or superhero mask is signed by circling 'V' hands over the eyes or pulling a '5' hand away from the face to show a full-face covering.

Does it matter which handshape I use?

You will commonly see this signed with the index and middle fingers extended, or with a pinched index and thumb. Both are perfectly acceptable. As long as the location is correct and the motion of pulling the strings over the ears is clear, your meaning will be easily understood.

Can I use this sign for a superhero mask?

No, you should not use this sign for a superhero mask. Because this specific sign indicates a covering over the nose and mouth, it translates specifically to a medical or surgical mask. For a superhero mask, use the sign that circles the eyes instead.

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