Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Minute"

Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body with a flat palm, as in the number 5, fingers pointing toward the sky. Make a D with your dominant hand, extending your index finger out and bringing your three remaining fingers to the tip of your thumb. Bring your dominant hand to touch the palm of your non-dominant hand. With a slight flick of your wrist, tick your finger away from your body (as a minute-hand would tick on a clock).

Examples Using "Minute" in a Sentence

1

Give me one minute.

Sign 'ONE' and then sign 'MINUTE' by placing your dominant 'D' hand against your flat non-dominant palm, ticking the index finger forward once.

2

The meeting starts in five minutes.

Sign 'MEETING', 'START', 'FIVE', and then 'MINUTE'. For numbers under ten, you can also incorporate the number '5' handshape directly into the ticking motion on your palm.

3

Wait a minute!

Sign 'WAIT', then sign 'MINUTE' by tapping your dominant index finger against your non-dominant palm and making that small, clock-like tick forward with your wrist.

How to Sign "Minute"
Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body with a flat palm, as in the number 5, fingers pointing toward the sky. Make a D with your dominant hand, extending your index finger out and bringing your three remaining fingers to the tip of your thumb. Bring your dominant hand to touch the palm of your non-dominant hand. With a slight flick of your wrist, tick your finger away from your body (as a minute-hand would tick on a clock).
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'minute' is highly iconic, meaning its visual form directly represents the real-world concept it describes. In this sign, your flat, upright non-dominant hand serves as the physical face of a wall clock. Your dominant index finger acts as the clock's minute hand. The small, distinct forward flick of your wrist perfectly mimics the mechanical, ticking movement of a traditional clock advancing by exactly one minute. This visual logic makes the sign very easy to remember!
Signing Tips
When signing 'minute', focus on isolating the movement to your wrist rather than moving your entire arm. The ticking motion should be small, crisp, and precise, perfectly mimicking the minute hand on a wall clock moving forward one single space. Keep your non-dominant hand completely steady and flat to clearly represent the face of the clock. Ensure your dominant hand maintains a clear 'D' shape, with the thumb gently resting against the middle, ring, and pinky fingers.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is moving their entire dominant arm or shoulder to create the ticking motion, rather than isolating the movement strictly to the wrist. Another frequent error is letting the non-dominant hand slouch or curl; it needs to remain flat and upright like a clock face. Finally, pay attention to your dominant handshape. Beginners sometimes forget to form the 'D' shape, accidentally leaving their thumb sticking out instead of touching the other three fingers.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Minute" in a Sentence
1

Give me one minute.

Sign 'ONE' and then sign 'MINUTE' by placing your dominant 'D' hand against your flat non-dominant palm, ticking the index finger forward once.

2

The meeting starts in five minutes.

Sign 'MEETING', 'START', 'FIVE', and then 'MINUTE'. For numbers under ten, you can also incorporate the number '5' handshape directly into the ticking motion on your palm.

3

Wait a minute!

Sign 'WAIT', then sign 'MINUTE' by tapping your dominant index finger against your non-dominant palm and making that small, clock-like tick forward with your wrist.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sign 'minute' with a '1' handshape instead of a 'D' handshape?

While the 'D' handshape is taught here and is very common, you will often see native signers use a standard '1' handshape (index finger extended, thumb wrapped over the other fingers). Both are widely understood and accepted.

How do I sign multiple minutes, like '10 minutes'?

For numbers 1 through 9, you can incorporate the number directly into the sign by using that number's handshape instead of the 'D' shape, ticking it forward. For 10 and up, sign the number first, then sign 'MINUTE'.

Does my non-dominant hand need to face a specific direction?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should have the fingers pointing straight up toward the sky, with the palm facing your dominant side. This creates a flat, vertical surface for your dominant hand to rest against.

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