How to Sign "Receipt"

To sign "receipt," start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form a flattened "O" shape with your dominant hand, keeping your fingertips and thumb pinched together. Tap your pinched fingers against the palm of your non-dominant hand, then pull your dominant hand upward and slightly back toward yourself. This motion mimics the action of pulling a printed receipt from a cash register.

Examples Using "Receipt" in a Sentence

1

Do you need a receipt?

Sign "YOU," "NEED," and then "RECEIPT" by tapping your pinched fingers on your palm and pulling upward. Raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I lost the receipt.

Sign "I," "LOSE" by dropping an imaginary object from your hands, and then "RECEIPT" to explain you misplaced your proof of purchase.

3

Keep your receipt for the return.

Sign "KEEP," "RECEIPT," then "FOR," and "RETURN" to remind someone to hold onto their proof of purchase. Make sure the pulling motion of "receipt" is clear.

How to Sign "Receipt"
To sign "receipt," start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Form a flattened "O" shape with your dominant hand, keeping your fingertips and thumb pinched together. Tap your pinched fingers against the palm of your non-dominant hand, then pull your dominant hand upward and slightly back toward yourself. This motion mimics the action of pulling a printed receipt from a cash register.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual and iconic, drawing directly from real-world actions. The flat non-dominant hand represents a surface or the slot of a cash register. The dominant hand's pinched shape and upward movement mimic the physical action of grabbing a freshly printed receipt and pulling it out of the machine.
Signing Tips
Focus on making the upward pulling motion distinct and deliberate. Your non-dominant hand should remain perfectly still, acting as the base or the machine, while your dominant hand does all the active work. Imagine you are actually pinching a small piece of paper between your thumb and fingers as you pull it up.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is simply tapping the palm without the upward pull, which can look too much like the signs for "write" or "note." Another error is moving both hands; remember to keep your non-dominant hand completely stationary while only the dominant hand pulls away.
Regional Variations
Some signers may use an initialized version of this sign, tapping an "R" handshape against the palm of the non-dominant hand. However, the descriptive pulling motion shown here is widely understood and visually intuitive across most regions.
Examples Using "Receipt" in a Sentence
1

Do you need a receipt?

Sign "YOU," "NEED," and then "RECEIPT" by tapping your pinched fingers on your palm and pulling upward. Raise your eyebrows at the end to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I lost the receipt.

Sign "I," "LOSE" by dropping an imaginary object from your hands, and then "RECEIPT" to explain you misplaced your proof of purchase.

3

Keep your receipt for the return.

Sign "KEEP," "RECEIPT," then "FOR," and "RETURN" to remind someone to hold onto their proof of purchase. Make sure the pulling motion of "receipt" is clear.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for "receipt" the same as "ticket"?

No, they are different. "Ticket" is signed by taking a bent "V" handshape and straddling the edge of the non-dominant hand, mimicking a hole puncher. "Receipt" involves a pinching and pulling motion from the center of the palm.

Which hand should I use for the base?

You should always use your non-dominant hand as the flat, stationary base. Your dominant hand should be the one forming the pinched shape and performing the active pulling motion.

Can this sign also mean "proof"?

While a receipt is a type of proof, the specific sign for "proof" or "evidence" is different. "Proof" is typically signed by bringing a flat dominant hand down onto the palm of the non-dominant hand, rather than pulling upward.

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