Start with both hands in front of your face or upper chest, forming flat 'O' shapes where your fingertips touch your thumbs, with your palms facing toward you. Smoothly move both hands forward and slightly down. As you move them, open your hands completely so they end up flat with your palms facing up and slightly forward.
Sign 'I', then 'always', followed by the sign for 'obey' by opening your hands forward, and finish with 'law'. The forward motion shows your willingness to follow the rules.
Point to the dog, then sign 'obey'. Because 'obey' is a directional verb, you can reverse the motion by starting away from your body and pulling your hands inward to show the dog is obeying you.
Sign 'you', 'need', and then 'obey' by moving your hands forward and opening them. Finish by signing 'parents' to complete the instruction.
Sign 'I', then 'always', followed by the sign for 'obey' by opening your hands forward, and finish with 'law'. The forward motion shows your willingness to follow the rules.
Point to the dog, then sign 'obey'. Because 'obey' is a directional verb, you can reverse the motion by starting away from your body and pulling your hands inward to show the dog is obeying you.
Sign 'you', 'need', and then 'obey' by moving your hands forward and opening them. Finish by signing 'parents' to complete the instruction.
Yes! The standard sign moves forward to mean 'I obey you' or 'obey them.' If you want to say 'obey me,' you reverse the motion: start with open hands away from your body and pull them inward, closing them into flat 'O' shapes near your chest.
While you might occasionally see a one-handed version in very casual, fast-paced signing, the standard and most clearly understood dictionary form uses both hands. Beginners should stick to the two-handed version to ensure they are easily understood.
Both signs involve moving the hands forward and opening them, but they start in different locations. 'Obey' starts higher up, near the face or upper chest, to emphasize the mental acceptance of a rule. 'Give' typically starts lower, near the mid-chest or stomach.
