To sign 'may' (meaning permission or ability), form both hands into 'S' shapes (fists) with your palms facing down. Hold your hands in front of your body, slightly apart. Move both hands downward simultaneously in a single, firm motion.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'may' by bringing both 'S' hands downward, and then sign 'help' moving toward the other person. Remember to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Point to the person for 'you', sign 'may' using the firm downward motion with both fists, and follow it with the sign for 'bathroom'.
Sign 'you', then sign 'may' with both fists moving down together, and finish with the signs for 'start' and 'now'.
Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'may' by bringing both 'S' hands downward, and then sign 'help' moving toward the other person. Remember to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.
Point to the person for 'you', sign 'may' using the firm downward motion with both fists, and follow it with the sign for 'bathroom'.
Sign 'you', then sign 'may' with both fists moving down together, and finish with the signs for 'start' and 'now'.
No, the month of May is always fingerspelled (M-A-Y). The sign shown here is used for the word 'may' when it means having permission or possibility, which shares the same sign as 'can'.
While 'may' (permission) uses two fists moving downward together, 'maybe' uses two flat, open hands facing upward that alternate moving up and down, resembling a balancing scale.
Yes! You can use this sign to ask questions like 'May I?' Just remember to raise your eyebrows, widen your eyes, and tilt your head slightly forward to clearly show you are asking a yes/no question.
