How to Sign "Rad"
To sign *rad*, start by forming an 'open-8' handshape with your dominant hand. To do this, keep your middle finger bent inward toward your palm while your thumb, index, ring, and pinky fingers remain fully extended and spread apart. Place your hand near the non-dominant side of your chest with your palm facing inward. Smoothly sweep your hand horizontally across your chest to the dominant side. Make sure to use an enthusiastic facial expression to convey the 'cool' or 'awesome' meaning of the word.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign incorporates the 'open-8' handshape, which is a foundational element in ASL for expressing feelings, emotions, and internal sensations. You will see this same handshape in signs like 'feel,' 'thrill,' and 'sensitive,' which are all centered around the chest area. By taking this emotion-based handshape and sweeping it broadly across the chest, the sign visually represents a strong, positive internal reaction—capturing the feeling of being deeply impressed or thrilled by something 'rad.'
Signing Tips
Keep your motion smooth and confident as you sweep your hand across your chest. Because 'rad' is a casual slang term used to describe something awesome, impressive, or cool, your facial expression is just as important as the handshape itself. Make sure to look genuinely excited, impressed, or enthusiastic when you sign it. A flat or neutral expression will make the sign feel disconnected from its energetic meaning, so let your face match the vibe!
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is moving the hand upward along the chest rather than horizontally across it. An upward motion can easily be confused with the sign for 'feel' or 'excited,' which use the same handshape. To keep your signing clear, ensure the movement is a distinct, horizontal sweep starting from the non-dominant side of your chest and ending on the dominant side. Additionally, make sure only your middle finger is bent, keeping the other fingers extended.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Rad" in a Sentence
1That new skateboard trick was rad!
Sign 'rad' by sweeping the open-8 handshape across your chest after describing the skateboard trick to show how impressed you are.
2We had a rad time at the concert.
Use the sign for 'rad' to emphasize how awesome the concert was, pairing it with a highly positive and energetic facial expression.
3Your new outfit looks totally rad.
Point to the person, sign 'new', 'clothes', and then sign 'rad' while smiling to show your approval of their style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'rad' the same as 'cool'?
While 'rad' and 'cool' have similar meanings in English, ASL has distinct signs for them. 'Cool' is often signed by twisting the index finger on the cheek or wiggling the fingers with the thumb on the chest, whereas this specific sign for 'rad' uses a horizontal sweep across the chest.
Can I use this sign in formal settings?
Because 'rad' is a slang term, this sign is best suited for casual conversations with friends or peers. In formal or professional settings, it is usually better to use standard ASL signs for words like 'excellent,' 'wonderful,' or 'impressive.'
Does it matter which hand I use to sign 'rad'?
Yes, you should use your dominant hand to perform the sign. Start on the non-dominant side of your chest and sweep the hand across to your dominant side. If you are right-handed, you will sweep from left to right.
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