Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Medicine"

Open your non-dominant hand, palm facing up. Spread the fingers of your dominant hand, bringing the tip of your middle finger to the palm of your non-dominant hand. Slightly vibrate your middle finger back and forth on your palm.

Examples Using "Medicine" in a Sentence

1

I need to take my medicine.

Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'TAKE', and then sign 'MEDICINE' by vibrating your dominant middle finger on your open non-dominant palm.

2

Did you give the dog his medicine?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'GIVE', 'DOG', and finish with the sign for 'MEDICINE', keeping the middle finger contact clear. Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

3

This medicine makes me sleepy.

Sign 'THIS', 'MEDICINE', 'MAKE', 'ME', 'SLEEPY'. When signing 'MEDICINE', ensure your non-dominant palm is facing up to act as a steady base.

How to Sign "Medicine"
Open your non-dominant hand, palm facing up. Spread the fingers of your dominant hand, bringing the tip of your middle finger to the palm of your non-dominant hand. Slightly vibrate your middle finger back and forth on your palm.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'medicine' is highly visual and rooted in historical apothecary practices. The non-dominant flat palm represents a bowl or a mortar, while the dominant middle finger acts as a pestle. The vibrating or twisting motion mimics the action of crushing pills, grinding herbs, or mixing medicinal powders in the mortar. This iconic representation makes the sign easy to remember once you visualize the traditional method of preparing medicine.
Signing Tips
To sign 'medicine' clearly, keep your non-dominant hand flat and steady, acting as a base. Make sure your dominant hand has its fingers spread wide, and only the tip of the middle finger touches the palm. The movement should be a small, subtle vibration or twisting motion right on the palm, rather than a large sweeping movement. Keep your wrist relaxed to make the vibration look natural.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using the index finger instead of the middle finger, which makes the sign unclear. Another frequent error is rubbing the entire hand or multiple fingers against the base palm; remember that only the tip of the middle finger should make contact. Finally, avoid making the vibrating motion too large or aggressive—it should be a small, localized wiggle on the center of the palm.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Medicine" in a Sentence
1

I need to take my medicine.

Sign 'I', 'NEED', 'TAKE', and then sign 'MEDICINE' by vibrating your dominant middle finger on your open non-dominant palm.

2

Did you give the dog his medicine?

Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'GIVE', 'DOG', and finish with the sign for 'MEDICINE', keeping the middle finger contact clear. Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

3

This medicine makes me sleepy.

Sign 'THIS', 'MEDICINE', 'MAKE', 'ME', 'SLEEPY'. When signing 'MEDICINE', ensure your non-dominant palm is facing up to act as a steady base.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my index finger instead of my middle finger?

No, you should specifically use your middle finger. Using the index finger changes the handshape entirely and can lead to confusion. The open hand with the middle finger extended forward is essential for the correct sign.

Does this sign work for all types of medicine, like liquid or pills?

Yes! This is the general sign for 'medicine' and covers all forms, including pills, liquids, and prescriptions. If you need to be specific, you can sign 'medicine' and then use classifiers to show swallowing a pill or drinking a liquid.

How much should I vibrate my finger?

The movement should be a small, quick wiggle or twist of the middle finger against your palm. You do not need to move your whole arm or make wide circles. Just two or three subtle back-and-forth twists are perfect.

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