How to Sign "One Hundred"

Start by holding up your dominant hand with your index finger pointing up and your palm facing outward, signing the number '1'. Then, pull your hand back slightly towards your body while smoothly changing your handshape into a 'C'.

Examples Using "One Hundred" in a Sentence

1

I have one hundred dollars.

Sign 'I', 'have', 'one hundred' by transitioning from the 1 handshape to the C handshape, and then sign 'dollars'.

2

There are one hundred people here.

Point to the area to establish 'here', sign 'people', and then sign 'one hundred' using the smooth 1-to-C motion.

3

She lived to be one hundred years old.

Sign 'She', 'old', and then 'one hundred' by extending your index finger and pulling back into the C handshape.

How to Sign "One Hundred"
Start by holding up your dominant hand with your index finger pointing up and your palm facing outward, signing the number '1'. Then, pull your hand back slightly towards your body while smoothly changing your handshape into a 'C'.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a blend of the ASL number '1' and the letter 'C'. The 'C' is borrowed from the Roman numeral system, where 'C' stands for 'centum', the Latin word for one hundred.
Signing Tips
Keep the motion fluid and continuous. Don't make it look like two completely separate, jerky movements; instead, let the '1' smoothly morph into the 'C' as you pull your hand back. Ensure your palm faces outward for the '1'.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is signing '1' followed by two '0's. While this makes sense in written English, standard ASL uses the 'C' handshape instead of zeros. Another mistake is forgetting the slight backward pull.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "One Hundred" in a Sentence
1

I have one hundred dollars.

Sign 'I', 'have', 'one hundred' by transitioning from the 1 handshape to the C handshape, and then sign 'dollars'.

2

There are one hundred people here.

Point to the area to establish 'here', sign 'people', and then sign 'one hundred' using the smooth 1-to-C motion.

3

She lived to be one hundred years old.

Sign 'She', 'old', and then 'one hundred' by extending your index finger and pulling back into the C handshape.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I sign the zeros for one hundred?

No, in standard ASL, you do not sign '1-0-0'. Instead, you use the number '1' followed by the 'C' handshape to represent the hundred.

How do I sign two hundred or three hundred?

The pattern continues! For two hundred, you sign '2' and pull back into a 'C'. For three hundred, sign '3' and pull back into a 'C', and so on up to nine hundred.

Does my palm direction matter?

Yes, for the number '1', your palm should face outward (away from you). As you pull back into the 'C', your palm orientation naturally remains outward or turns slightly to the side.

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