Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Pomegranate"

Start by signing 'red': stroke your dominant index finger down your lips and chin. Next, bring both hands together in claw shapes to represent the round fruit. Finally, hold your non-dominant hand in a claw shape as if holding the pomegranate, while your dominant hand uses the thumb and index finger to 'pick' seeds from it and bring them to your mouth.

Examples Using "Pomegranate" in a Sentence

1

I love eating pomegranates.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then cross your arms over your chest for 'LOVE'. Finally, perform the full descriptive sequence for 'pomegranate'—signing 'red', showing the round shape, and mimicking picking and eating the seeds.

2

Pomegranate juice is delicious.

Begin with the descriptive sign for 'POMEGRANATE'. Next, sign 'JUICE' by forming a 'J' handshape near your chin and mimicking a squeezing motion. Finish by signing 'DELICIOUS', snapping your middle finger and thumb as you pull your hand away from your mouth.

3

She bought a pomegranate at the store.

Point to your side to indicate 'she', then sign 'BUY' by handing imaginary money forward. Follow this with the full sequence for 'POMEGRANATE', and finish by signing 'STORE', shaking your flattened 'O' hands twice near your shoulders.

How to Sign "Pomegranate"
Start by signing 'red': stroke your dominant index finger down your lips and chin. Next, bring both hands together in claw shapes to represent the round fruit. Finally, hold your non-dominant hand in a claw shape as if holding the pomegranate, while your dominant hand uses the thumb and index finger to 'pick' seeds from it and bring them to your mouth.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a perfect example of how ASL uses highly iconic and descriptive elements to represent specific objects. It begins with the sign for 'red' to indicate the fruit's vibrant outer color. It then uses hand classifiers to show the round, slightly bumpy shape of the pomegranate. Finally, it concludes with the specific, universally recognizable action of picking out the small arils (seeds) and eating them, perfectly capturing the unique experience of eating this fruit.
Signing Tips
Focus on the storytelling aspect of this descriptive sign. The sequence of showing the color, the shape, and how you eat it makes it highly visual and easy to remember for beginners. Make sure to keep your non-dominant hand steady in a claw shape while your dominant hand 'picks' the seeds. This clearly establishes that you are holding the fruit in one hand while extracting the seeds with the other, making the visual representation much more realistic and understandable.
Common Mistakes
A common error is rushing through the sequence. Because it is a compound, descriptive sign, beginners often blend the parts too quickly, making it hard for the viewer to catch each element. Take your time to clearly articulate 'red,' the round shape, and the picking motion. Another mistake is forgetting the initial 'red' sign entirely and only doing the picking motion, which might confuse the context and make it look like you are eating something else.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Pomegranate" in a Sentence
1

I love eating pomegranates.

To sign this, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then cross your arms over your chest for 'LOVE'. Finally, perform the full descriptive sequence for 'pomegranate'—signing 'red', showing the round shape, and mimicking picking and eating the seeds.

2

Pomegranate juice is delicious.

Begin with the descriptive sign for 'POMEGRANATE'. Next, sign 'JUICE' by forming a 'J' handshape near your chin and mimicking a squeezing motion. Finish by signing 'DELICIOUS', snapping your middle finger and thumb as you pull your hand away from your mouth.

3

She bought a pomegranate at the store.

Point to your side to indicate 'she', then sign 'BUY' by handing imaginary money forward. Follow this with the full sequence for 'POMEGRANATE', and finish by signing 'STORE', shaking your flattened 'O' hands twice near your shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pomegranate' always signed with this long sequence?

Because pomegranate is a specific and somewhat less common fruit, many signers use this descriptive sequence to make it completely clear. In some contexts, especially if the topic of conversation is already established, people might simply fingerspell P-O-M-E-G-R-A-N-A-T-E instead of using the full descriptive sign.

Do I have to do all three parts of the sign?

Yes, to clearly communicate 'pomegranate' without fingerspelling, you generally need the full sequence. The combination of the color, the round shape, and the specific eating action works together to distinguish it from other fruits like apples, oranges, or berries.

What handshape is used for picking the seeds?

Use your dominant thumb and index finger to form a tight pinching shape, similar to a modified 'X' or 'F' handshape. This mimics the delicate, precise action required to pick out the tiny seeds from the fruit's casing before bringing them to your mouth.

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