How to Sign "Palm"

To sign "palm," hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Take your dominant hand, also flat with the palm facing down, and gently stroke the center of your non-dominant hand's palm a couple of times. This motion directly highlights the area of the hand you are referring to.

Examples Using "Palm" in a Sentence

1

I have a cut on my palm.

Sign "palm" by stroking your open non-dominant hand, then sign "cut" by making a quick slicing motion over that same area to show exactly where the injury is.

2

Show me your palm.

Point to the person you are talking to, sign "palm" by rubbing your dominant hand over your upturned non-dominant hand, and then sign "show."

3

My palms are sweaty.

Sign "my," then sign "palm" as described. Follow this up with the sign for "sweat," perhaps wiggling your fingers slightly as you pull them away from your palm to emphasize the feeling.

How to Sign "Palm"
To sign "palm," hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Take your dominant hand, also flat with the palm facing down, and gently stroke the center of your non-dominant hand's palm a couple of times. This motion directly highlights the area of the hand you are referring to.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and literal. By physically touching and stroking the palm of your hand, you are drawing direct visual attention to the exact body part you are talking about.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand relaxed but flat. The motion should be a gentle, sweeping stroke across the center of the hand, not a harsh scratch. Make sure your dominant hand is also flat, using the fingers to brush against the palm.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a single pointing finger to poke the palm instead of using the whole flat hand to stroke it. Poking the palm is often used for signs like "center" or "middle," so be sure to use a flat hand and a brushing motion to clearly mean "palm."
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Palm" in a Sentence
1

I have a cut on my palm.

Sign "palm" by stroking your open non-dominant hand, then sign "cut" by making a quick slicing motion over that same area to show exactly where the injury is.

2

Show me your palm.

Point to the person you are talking to, sign "palm" by rubbing your dominant hand over your upturned non-dominant hand, and then sign "show."

3

My palms are sweaty.

Sign "my," then sign "palm" as described. Follow this up with the sign for "sweat," perhaps wiggling your fingers slightly as you pull them away from your palm to emphasize the feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sign used for palm trees?

No, this sign specifically refers to the body part (the palm of your hand). To sign "palm tree," you would use the standard sign for "tree" and typically fingerspell P-A-L-M.

Does it matter which hand I use as the base?

Yes, you should always use your non-dominant hand as the base (the one facing up). Your dominant hand should be the one doing the active stroking motion.

How many times should I stroke my hand?

Usually, two gentle strokes are perfect. Doing it just once might look like a mistake or part of another sign, while doing it too many times can look unnatural.

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