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PocketSign

How to Sign "Nacho"

To sign *nacho*, begin with an initialized version of the sign for *cheese*. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form an 'N' handshape with your dominant hand, place it on your non-dominant palm, and rub it in a small circle. Finally, lift your dominant hand, drop your non-dominant hand, and quickly fingerspell the remaining letters of the word: A-C-H-O.

Examples Using "Nacho" in a Sentence

1

I want to eat nachos.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', sign 'want', and then 'eat'. Finish the sentence by signing 'nacho', making sure to use the 'N' on your palm before spelling A-C-H-O.

2

Do you like nacho cheese?

Sign 'you', 'like', 'nacho', and 'cheese'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while pointing back to the person at the end of the sentence.

3

We bought nachos at the movie theater.

In ASL, it is best to establish the location first. Sign 'movie theater', then sign 'we' and 'buy'. Conclude the sentence with the hybrid sign for 'nacho'.

How to Sign "Nacho"
To sign *nacho*, begin with an initialized version of the sign for *cheese*. Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form an 'N' handshape with your dominant hand, place it on your non-dominant palm, and rub it in a small circle. Finally, lift your dominant hand, drop your non-dominant hand, and quickly fingerspell the remaining letters of the word: A-C-H-O.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for *nacho* is a fantastic example of how American Sign Language creatively adapts to specific food terms. It is a hybrid sign that blends initialization, iconic movement, and lexicalized fingerspelling. The base of the sign borrows the pressing and rotating motion from the sign for *cheese*, visually referencing the melted cheese that makes nachos iconic. By initializing this motion with an 'N' handshape, it gives a strong phonetic clue. Finally, spelling the rest of the word (A-C-H-O) ensures there is absolutely no ambiguity, perfectly marrying the visual concept of cheese with the English loanword.
Signing Tips
When signing *nacho*, the transition between the initialized sign and the fingerspelling is key to making it look natural. Start with your non-dominant hand comfortably in front of you, palm up. After rubbing the 'N' handshape in a small circle on your palm, smoothly drop your non-dominant hand out of the way. Bring your dominant hand up slightly to a comfortable spelling space—usually right around your shoulder level—and fluidly spell the remaining letters: A-C-H-O. Practice this transition slowly at first, ensuring the 'N' feels like the natural beginning of the spelled word before speeding up.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make with this sign is confusing it with the standard sign for *cheese*. Remember that *cheese* uses the heel of your dominant hand pressing and rotating against your non-dominant palm. For *nacho*, you must use a clear 'N' handshape (index and middle fingers extended downward over the thumb). Another common error is forgetting to drop the non-dominant hand when transitioning to the fingerspelled portion. If you leave your base hand up while spelling A-C-H-O, it can look cluttered and confuse the person you are signing with. Keep your spelling space clear!
Regional Variations
Because *nacho* is a specific food item, you will encounter a few different ways to sign it depending on the region and the signer's preference. The initialized hybrid sign shown here is very popular. However, many signers prefer to simply fingerspell the entire word N-A-C-H-O from start to finish without using the base hand. Alternatively, in more descriptive contexts, some signers might use the signs for *chip* and *cheese* together, sometimes adding a classifier to show cheese being poured over the chips. All of these variations are widely understood across the ASL community.
Examples Using "Nacho" in a Sentence
1

I want to eat nachos.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', sign 'want', and then 'eat'. Finish the sentence by signing 'nacho', making sure to use the 'N' on your palm before spelling A-C-H-O.

2

Do you like nacho cheese?

Sign 'you', 'like', 'nacho', and 'cheese'. Since this is a yes/no question, remember to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly while pointing back to the person at the end of the sentence.

3

We bought nachos at the movie theater.

In ASL, it is best to establish the location first. Sign 'movie theater', then sign 'we' and 'buy'. Conclude the sentence with the hybrid sign for 'nacho'.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fingerspell the end of the word?

In this specific variation, yes. The 'N' on your palm acts as both the concept of cheese and the first letter of the word. Spelling A-C-H-O completes it. However, some signers prefer to just fingerspell the entire word N-A-C-H-O from the very beginning.

How is this different from the sign for cheese?

While they share the same base motion, the handshapes are different. *Cheese* uses the flat heel of your dominant hand to press and rotate on your palm. *Nacho* specifically uses an 'N' handshape to initialize the word before transitioning into fingerspelling.

Can I just sign "chip" and "cheese" instead?

Yes! Signing *chip* followed by *cheese* is a perfectly acceptable and descriptive way to convey the concept, especially if you are explaining the food. However, using the initialized sign with fingerspelling is a faster, more direct way to translate the specific word *nacho*.

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