How to Sign "Mom"
To make the sign mom, take your dominant hand in the 5 handshape and place your thumb on your chin. Anything female related will be below the nose and anything male will be above the nose.
Examples Using "Mom" in a Sentence
1
My mom is coming over.
Sign 'MY' by placing a flat hand on your chest, then sign 'MOM' by placing the thumb of your open 5-handshape on your chin. Finish with the sign for 'COME'.
2
I love my mom.
Point to yourself for 'I', cross your arms over your chest for 'LOVE', sign 'MY', and finish by placing your thumb on your chin for the 'MOM' sign.
3
Are you a mom?
Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'MOM' with your thumb resting on your chin, and make sure to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.
How to Sign "Mom"
To make the sign mom, take your dominant hand in the 5 handshape and place your thumb on your chin. Anything female related will be below the nose and anything male will be above the nose.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In ASL, family signs are categorized by location on the face. Signs related to females, such as mom, sister, or aunt, are placed on the lower half of the face near the chin or mouth. Historically, this is thought to be linked to the bonnet strings women used to tie under their chins.
Signing Tips
Keep your fingers spread naturally in the open 5-handshape, but avoid tensing them up too much. Make sure only the tip or pad of your thumb touches your chin lightly. You can tap your chin twice to emphasize the noun, or just touch it once during a fast, fluent conversation.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is placing the thumb too high on the face, such as on the forehead, which accidentally changes the sign to 'dad'. Another mistake is curling your fingers inward; ensure your fingers remain extended and pointing upward in a clear 5-handshape.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Mom" in a Sentence
1My mom is coming over.
Sign 'MY' by placing a flat hand on your chest, then sign 'MOM' by placing the thumb of your open 5-handshape on your chin. Finish with the sign for 'COME'.
2I love my mom.
Point to yourself for 'I', cross your arms over your chest for 'LOVE', sign 'MY', and finish by placing your thumb on your chin for the 'MOM' sign.
3Are you a mom?
Point to the person for 'YOU', sign 'MOM' with your thumb resting on your chin, and make sure to raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which hand I use to sign 'mom'?
Yes, you should use your dominant hand. If you are right-handed, use your right hand to form the 5-handshape and place your right thumb on your chin. If you are left-handed, use your left hand.
Do I tap my chin once or twice?
Typically, tapping your chin twice indicates the noun 'mom'. However, in fast, fluent conversation, many signers will just touch their chin once. Both variations are perfectly understood by native signers.
Why are female signs on the lower half of the face?
In ASL, the face is divided into distinct gender zones to help organize vocabulary visually. The upper half near the forehead is reserved for male signs, while the lower half near the chin is reserved for female signs.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!