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How to Sign "My Love"

To sign 'my love' (which uses the standard sign for 'love'), begin by bringing both of your hands up to your chest. Form closed fists with both hands, and cross your arms over your chest. Your fists should rest gently against your upper chest, as if you are giving yourself a warm, affectionate hug. Hold the position briefly to emphasize the emotion.

Examples Using "My Love" in a Sentence

1

Good morning, my love.

To sign this affectionate greeting, start by signing 'good' and then 'morning'. Finish the phrase by crossing your arms over your chest for 'love'. Make sure to smile and maintain warm eye contact with your partner to convey the feeling.

2

You are my love.

First, point directly at the person to sign 'you'. Next, place a flat hand on your chest to sign 'my'. Finally, cross your arms into fists over your chest to sign 'love', showing them exactly how much they mean to you.

3

I miss you, my love.

Point to yourself for 'I', then use your index finger to tap your chin for 'miss', and point to the person for 'you'. Conclude the sentence by crossing your arms over your heart for 'love' with a longing expression.

How to Sign "My Love"
To sign 'my love' (which uses the standard sign for 'love'), begin by bringing both of your hands up to your chest. Form closed fists with both hands, and cross your arms over your chest. Your fists should rest gently against your upper chest, as if you are giving yourself a warm, affectionate hug. Hold the position briefly to emphasize the emotion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign used here is the standard ASL sign for 'love', and it is highly iconic, meaning it visually resembles what it represents. By crossing your arms over your chest and holding them close to your heart, you are physically mimicking the act of giving a warm, affectionate embrace. It represents holding someone or something very dear to you. This visual connection to a hug makes it one of the easiest and most intuitive signs for beginners to remember.
Signing Tips
When signing 'my love', remember that your facial expression carries a lot of the emotional weight. You want to show genuine affection, warmth, or tenderness on your face. Make sure your arms are crossed comfortably over your chest with your fists resting gently against your body. Avoid a rigid, stiff, or tense posture. The movement should feel natural, like a soft embrace. If you are addressing someone directly, maintain warm eye contact to make the message feel personal and sincere.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is clenching their fists too tightly or crossing their arms too forcefully. This can accidentally make the sign look like a defensive posture or the sign for 'stubborn' rather than a gesture of affection. Another frequent error is signing with a blank, robotic facial expression. Because ASL relies heavily on non-manual markers, failing to show warmth on your face will strip the phrase of its loving meaning, confusing the person you are signing to.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "My Love" in a Sentence
1

Good morning, my love.

To sign this affectionate greeting, start by signing 'good' and then 'morning'. Finish the phrase by crossing your arms over your chest for 'love'. Make sure to smile and maintain warm eye contact with your partner to convey the feeling.

2

You are my love.

First, point directly at the person to sign 'you'. Next, place a flat hand on your chest to sign 'my'. Finally, cross your arms into fists over your chest to sign 'love', showing them exactly how much they mean to you.

3

I miss you, my love.

Point to yourself for 'I', then use your index finger to tap your chin for 'miss', and point to the person for 'you'. Conclude the sentence by crossing your arms over your heart for 'love' with a longing expression.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there no separate sign for 'my' in this video?

In American Sign Language, terms of endearment like 'my love' can often be conveyed simply by using the sign for 'love' combined with a directed gaze and an affectionate facial expression. While you can sign 'my' (flat hand on the chest) before 'love', it is frequently dropped in natural conversation.

Can I use this sign for things I love, like food or movies?

This specific crossed-arm sign is generally reserved for romantic, familial, or deep emotional love for people. If you want to express that you strongly like a thing, such as a favorite food, hobby, or movie, you should use the 'kiss-fist' sign instead of this one.

Does it matter which arm is on top when I cross them?

No, it does not matter which arm rests on top when you cross them over your chest. You can cross your dominant arm over your non-dominant arm, or vice versa. Simply choose whichever arm placement feels the most natural and comfortable for your body.

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