How to Sign "Nice"

the sign nice uses both hands. the non-dominant hand should be flat and at chest level, with the palm facing upwards. bring the dominant hand up and, with the palm facing downwards, drag the palm of the dominant hand against the palm of the non-dominant. the non-dominant hand should remain stationary as the dominant hand moves.

Examples Using "Nice" in a Sentence

1

It is nice to meet you.

Point to the person, sign 'nice' by smoothly sliding your dominant palm over your upward-facing non-dominant palm, and then sign 'meet'.

2

The weather is nice today.

Sign 'today', then 'weather', and finish with 'nice' by gliding your dominant hand forward across your stationary non-dominant hand.

3

You have a nice house.

Point to the person, sign 'house', and then sign 'nice' to describe it, ensuring your non-dominant hand stays perfectly still during the slide.

How to Sign "Nice"
the sign nice uses both hands. the non-dominant hand should be flat and at chest level, with the palm facing upwards. bring the dominant hand up and, with the palm facing downwards, drag the palm of the dominant hand against the palm of the non-dominant. the non-dominant hand should remain stationary as the dominant hand moves.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'nice' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the concept it describes. The flat hands and smooth sliding motion mimic the action of wiping a surface to make it clean, flat, and free of bumps or dirt. In ASL, the visual concept of a smooth, spotless surface is directly linked to something being pleasant, good, or 'nice'.
Signing Tips
To make your sign look natural, focus on keeping your non-dominant hand completely still while your dominant hand does all the work. The motion should be a single, smooth glide forward, moving away from your body. Keep your fingers together and your hands flat. Think of the movement as gently dusting off a table to make it perfectly smooth. A relaxed, pleasant facial expression will also help convey the positive meaning of the word.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is moving both hands at the same time, rubbing them together instead of keeping the bottom hand stationary. Another frequent error is sliding the dominant hand backward toward the body instead of forward. Finally, avoid clapping your hands together before the slide; your dominant hand should start already resting gently on the non-dominant palm before moving.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Nice" in a Sentence
1

It is nice to meet you.

Point to the person, sign 'nice' by smoothly sliding your dominant palm over your upward-facing non-dominant palm, and then sign 'meet'.

2

The weather is nice today.

Sign 'today', then 'weather', and finish with 'nice' by gliding your dominant hand forward across your stationary non-dominant hand.

3

You have a nice house.

Point to the person, sign 'house', and then sign 'nice' to describe it, ensuring your non-dominant hand stays perfectly still during the slide.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'nice' the same as the sign for 'clean'?

Yes, they are very similar and use the exact same handshapes! Typically, 'nice' is signed with a single, smooth forward stroke. 'Clean' can be signed the exact same way, but is sometimes repeated with two quick strokes depending on the context.

Which direction should my dominant hand move?

Your dominant hand should start near the heel of your non-dominant hand and slide forward, moving away from your chest and sliding off the fingertips of your bottom hand.

Do I need to press my hands together hard?

No, you do not need to apply much pressure. A light, gentle glide of the dominant palm over the non-dominant palm is perfect. Pressing too hard makes the sign look stiff and unnatural.

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