How to Sign "Move"
To sign “Move”, closely similar to sign “put” as you knew two oval shaped hands right front of you. Your hands move in curved from either right to left or left to right depend on where you are moving things to.
Examples Using "Move" in a Sentence
1
Please move the chair to the corner.
Sign "move" by starting with your oval-shaped hands in front of you and making a curved motion toward the direction of the corner, showing exactly where the chair should go.
2
I am moving to a new house next week.
Use the "move" sign to show relocating yourself. Start your oval hands on one side of your body and arc them over to the other side to represent changing your living location.
3
Can you move that out of the way?
Form your hands into the oval shapes and make a quick, curved sweeping motion to the side, visually showing the object being relocated away from the center of your space.
How to Sign "Move"
To sign “Move”, closely similar to sign “put” as you knew two oval shaped hands right front of you. Your hands move in curved from either right to left or left to right depend on where you are moving things to.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for "move" is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the physical action it describes. The oval-shaped hands mimic the natural grip you would use to grasp a physical object. The curved, arcing motion traces the exact path an object takes when being lifted from one surface and placed down in a new location. This makes the sign very intuitive for beginners to remember!
Signing Tips
To make your sign look natural, focus heavily on the spatial aspect of the movement. Because "move" is a directional verb, the start and end points of your curved motion should match where the object is currently located and where it is ending up. Keep your oval-shaped hands relaxed but clearly formed. Ensure the arc motion is smooth, lifting slightly in the middle to emphasize the physical act of relocating something.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving their hands in a rigid, straight line rather than a curved arc. Remember to lift your hands slightly, as if physically picking an object up and placing it back down. Another common error is ignoring the spatial layout of your signing space. You should always move your hands toward the actual or established destination of the object, rather than just signing it randomly in front of you.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Move" in a Sentence
1Please move the chair to the corner.
Sign "move" by starting with your oval-shaped hands in front of you and making a curved motion toward the direction of the corner, showing exactly where the chair should go.
2I am moving to a new house next week.
Use the "move" sign to show relocating yourself. Start your oval hands on one side of your body and arc them over to the other side to represent changing your living location.
3Can you move that out of the way?
Form your hands into the oval shapes and make a quick, curved sweeping motion to the side, visually showing the object being relocated away from the center of your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the signs for 'move' and 'put'?
They are very similar! 'Move' often uses a slightly larger, more pronounced arcing motion to show relocation from one distinct place to another. 'Put' is usually a shorter, quicker motion to indicate simply placing an object down. Both use the exact same oval-shaped hands.
Does it matter which direction I move my hands?
Yes, absolutely! 'Move' is a directional sign. If you are moving something from the left to the right, your hands should arc from left to right. The movement should always match the real-world or imaginary path of the object.
Can I use this sign for moving to a new city?
Yes, this sign is used for relocating physical objects as well as relocating yourself, like moving to a new house or city. Just use the same oval-shaped hands and make a clear arcing motion to represent the transition to a new place.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!