How to Sign "Meet"
The sign 'meet' uses both hands. Ball both hands into fists, with the index fingers pointing up. Bring the two hands together so the knuckles of both hands touch.
Examples Using "Meet" in a Sentence
1
Nice to meet you.
Sign 'nice' by sliding your dominant flat hand over your non-dominant flat hand. Then, use the 'meet' sign by bringing your upright index fingers together, moving the sign slightly toward the person you are greeting.
2
Let's meet tomorrow.
First sign 'tomorrow' by moving your thumb forward from your cheek. Then, perform the 'meet' sign by bringing both index fingers together in front of your chest to show the two of you coming together.
3
Where did you two meet?
Point to the two people, perform the 'meet' sign by bringing the knuckles of your upright index fingers together, and then sign 'where' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.
How to Sign "Meet"
The sign 'meet' uses both hands. Ball both hands into fists, with the index fingers pointing up. Bring the two hands together so the knuckles of both hands touch.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually logical. The two upright index fingers represent two individuals standing upright. Bringing them together visually mimics two people approaching each other and coming face-to-face.
Signing Tips
When signing 'meet', think of your index fingers as two people. To make the sign look natural, keep your movements smooth and ensure the knuckles of your index fingers touch gently. 'Meet' is also a directional verb, meaning you can change the starting and ending points to show who is meeting whom, like moving it from yourself toward someone else for 'I meet you'.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is clapping flat palms together instead of using the correct handshape with just the index fingers pointing up. Another mistake is stopping the hands before they touch; make sure the knuckles actually meet to clearly show the concept.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Meet" in a Sentence
1Nice to meet you.
Sign 'nice' by sliding your dominant flat hand over your non-dominant flat hand. Then, use the 'meet' sign by bringing your upright index fingers together, moving the sign slightly toward the person you are greeting.
2Let's meet tomorrow.
First sign 'tomorrow' by moving your thumb forward from your cheek. Then, perform the 'meet' sign by bringing both index fingers together in front of your chest to show the two of you coming together.
3Where did you two meet?
Point to the two people, perform the 'meet' sign by bringing the knuckles of your upright index fingers together, and then sign 'where' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which hand moves?
Usually, both hands move toward each other if two people are meeting at a neutral location. However, 'meet' is directional. If you are meeting someone, your dominant hand can move toward your non-dominant hand to show the action.
Can I use this sign for a business meeting?
No, this specific sign is used for individuals encountering each other. For a business meeting or a group gathering, you would use a different sign where the fingers of both hands come together to represent a larger group of people.
Do my knuckles have to touch completely?
Yes, for the standard sign, the knuckles of your index fingers should touch gently. This physical contact represents the actual encounter between the two people. If they don't touch, it might look like two people passing by each other.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!