Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Purple"

To sign 'purple', bring the pinkie and ring fingers down flat against the palm, leaving the middle finger, index finger, and thumb outstretched. Bring the middle finger in a little bit, and rest the tip of the thumb where the two fingers meet to make the P hand shape. Bring the hand up towards the chest, and rotate the wrist slightly to shake the P shape back and forth.

Examples Using "Purple" in a Sentence

1

I love the color purple.

Sign 'I', 'love', and 'color', then form the 'P' handshape and shake it gently back and forth near your chest to sign 'purple'.

2

My shirt is purple.

Point to yourself for 'my', sign 'shirt' by slightly tugging the fabric of your upper garment, and finish by shaking the 'P' handshape.

3

Do you want the purple one?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'want', and then sign 'purple' by shaking the 'P' handshape, making sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Purple"
To sign 'purple', bring the pinkie and ring fingers down flat against the palm, leaving the middle finger, index finger, and thumb outstretched. Bring the middle finger in a little bit, and rest the tip of the thumb where the two fingers meet to make the P hand shape. Bring the hand up towards the chest, and rotate the wrist slightly to shake the P shape back and forth.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'purple' is an initialized sign, meaning it uses the first letter of the corresponding English word. It incorporates the ASL manual alphabet letter 'P'. In American Sign Language, many color signs are initialized and shaken or twisted slightly to indicate that the concept being discussed is a color, distinguishing it from other signs.
Signing Tips
To form the 'P' handshape easily, start by making a 'K' handshape (index finger up, middle finger forward, thumb resting between them) and simply drop your wrist so your middle finger points down. When shaking the hand, keep the movement isolated to your wrist rather than moving your whole arm. The shake should be a small, relaxed, twisting motion.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is shaking the entire arm from the elbow or shoulder instead of just rotating the wrist. Keep your arm relatively still and let the wrist do the work. Another frequent error is failing to point the middle finger downward, which makes the handshape look like a 'K' instead of a 'P'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Purple" in a Sentence
1

I love the color purple.

Sign 'I', 'love', and 'color', then form the 'P' handshape and shake it gently back and forth near your chest to sign 'purple'.

2

My shirt is purple.

Point to yourself for 'my', sign 'shirt' by slightly tugging the fabric of your upper garment, and finish by shaking the 'P' handshape.

3

Do you want the purple one?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'want', and then sign 'purple' by shaking the 'P' handshape, making sure to raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 'P' handshape the same as the 'K' handshape?

They use the exact same finger positioning, but the palm orientation is different. For 'K', your fingers point upward and forward. For 'P', you drop your wrist so your middle finger points straight down toward the ground.

Where exactly should I hold my hand when signing purple?

You should hold your 'P' handshape comfortably in front of your chest or slightly to the side of your dominant shoulder. There is no need to reach out far; keep it in a relaxed, natural signing space.

Why do we shake the hand for this sign?

Shaking or twisting an initialized handshape is a common ASL convention for colors. For example, 'blue' shakes a 'B' and 'green' shakes a 'G'. The movement helps clarify that you are referring to a color.

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