How to Sign "Pizza"
to sign 'pizza', relax the dominant hand, leaving it cupped slightly. rotate the arm so the fingertips are pointed in towards you. bring the fingertips up and tap them against your lips, as if you are eating a slice of pizza.
Examples Using "Pizza" in a Sentence
1
I want to eat pizza for dinner.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'EAT', and then use your cupped dominant hand to tap your lips for 'PIZZA'. Finish by signing 'DINNER'.
2
Do you like cheese pizza?
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'YOU', 'LIKE', 'CHEESE', and then tap your slightly cupped hand against your lips to sign 'PIZZA'.
3
We ordered a large pizza.
Sign 'WE', 'ORDER', 'LARGE', and then bring your cupped fingertips to your mouth to sign 'PIZZA'.
How to Sign "Pizza"
to sign 'pizza', relax the dominant hand, leaving it cupped slightly. rotate the arm so the fingertips are pointed in towards you. bring the fingertips up and tap them against your lips, as if you are eating a slice of pizza.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This specific sign for 'pizza' is highly iconic, meaning it visually represents the action it describes. The slightly cupped handshape mimics how a person holds a wide, folded slice of pizza to keep the cheese from falling off. By bringing the fingertips to the lips and tapping, the sign perfectly recreates the everyday action of taking a bite out of a delicious slice. It relies on a natural, universally understood gesture translated into American Sign Language.
Signing Tips
When signing 'pizza,' keep your hand relaxed and naturally cupped, just as if you were holding a real, folded slice of New York-style pizza. Make sure your fingertips are pointing directly toward your face. The movement should be a gentle double tap against your lips. Don't overthink the handshape; a stiff or rigid hand will make the sign look unnatural. Keep your wrist flexible and let the motion flow smoothly toward your mouth.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is using a flat, rigid hand instead of a relaxed, cupped shape. Another frequent error is pushing the hand too hard against the mouth rather than executing a light, gentle tap. Some learners also accidentally point their fingers upward instead of inward toward themselves. Remember, the visual logic relies on mimicking the action of bringing a slice of pizza to your mouth, so keep the orientation and movement natural.
Regional Variations
Yes, 'pizza' has several widely used variations! While the 'eating a slice' variation taught here is common and highly intuitive, you will frequently see a lexicalized version where the signer traces a 'Z' in the air with a bent 'V' handshape (representing the double 'Z' in the English word). Another variation involves drawing the shape of a circle in the air to represent the whole pizza pie. The variation you use often depends on your local Deaf community.
Examples Using "Pizza" in a Sentence
1I want to eat pizza for dinner.
Sign 'I', 'WANT', 'EAT', and then use your cupped dominant hand to tap your lips for 'PIZZA'. Finish by signing 'DINNER'.
2Do you like cheese pizza?
Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'YOU', 'LIKE', 'CHEESE', and then tap your slightly cupped hand against your lips to sign 'PIZZA'.
3We ordered a large pizza.
Sign 'WE', 'ORDER', 'LARGE', and then bring your cupped fingertips to your mouth to sign 'PIZZA'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I tap my lips once or twice?
Typically, nouns in ASL use a double movement. For 'pizza,' a gentle double tap against the lips is standard. However, in fast, fluent conversation, it might occasionally be reduced to a single tap. Stick to a double tap as a beginner.
Does it matter which hand I use to sign pizza?
You should always use your dominant hand for this sign. If you are right-handed, cup your right hand and bring it to your lips. Consistency with your dominant hand helps keep your signing clear and easy to understand.
Is this sign the same as the sign for 'eat'?
They are similar but distinct! 'Eat' uses a squished 'O' handshape (all fingertips touching the thumb) tapping the mouth. 'Pizza' uses a more open, relaxed, and cupped handshape, specifically mimicking holding a wide slice of pizza rather than a small piece of food.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!