How to Sign "Sacrifice"

To sign 'sacrifice,' start with both hands in flat, open shapes with your fingers held together. Position your hands in front of your body with your palms facing up and slightly forward. Move both hands upward and forward simultaneously, as if you are offering something up.

Examples Using "Sacrifice" in a Sentence

1

She made a big sacrifice for her family.

Sign 'sacrifice' by moving your open, upward-facing hands forward and up, emphasizing the act of giving something up for her family.

2

I will sacrifice my time to help you.

Use the sign for 'sacrifice' to show that you are offering your time, moving both hands upward and forward to convey the gesture of giving.

3

Sometimes, success requires sacrifice.

Sign 'sacrifice' with a deliberate upward and forward motion to convey the weight and importance of giving something up to achieve a goal.

How to Sign "Sacrifice"
To sign 'sacrifice,' start with both hands in flat, open shapes with your fingers held together. Position your hands in front of your body with your palms facing up and slightly forward. Move both hands upward and forward simultaneously, as if you are offering something up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic and visually represents the act of physically offering something up to a higher power or giving something away for the benefit of others. The open, upward-facing hands symbolize presenting a gift or making a concession.
Signing Tips
Keep your fingers together and your palms relatively flat to clearly convey the idea of holding an offering. The movement should be smooth and deliberate, angling upward and forward to show the act of giving something away or offering it up.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the hands too low or moving them straight forward without the upward angle. Make sure the motion goes both forward and up to capture the true visual meaning of a 'sacrifice' or 'offering'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Sacrifice" in a Sentence
1

She made a big sacrifice for her family.

Sign 'sacrifice' by moving your open, upward-facing hands forward and up, emphasizing the act of giving something up for her family.

2

I will sacrifice my time to help you.

Use the sign for 'sacrifice' to show that you are offering your time, moving both hands upward and forward to convey the gesture of giving.

3

Sometimes, success requires sacrifice.

Sign 'sacrifice' with a deliberate upward and forward motion to convey the weight and importance of giving something up to achieve a goal.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same sign as 'offer'?

Yes, the sign for 'sacrifice' is often the same as the sign for 'offer' or 'suggest.' The context of your sentence and your facial expressions will help clarify which specific meaning you intend.

Do I need to use both hands for this sign?

Yes, 'sacrifice' is a two-handed sign. Using both hands symmetrically emphasizes the significance and weight of the offering being made.

How can I show the intensity of the sacrifice?

You can show the intensity of the sacrifice through your facial expressions and the size of your movement. A larger, more deliberate movement paired with a serious or solemn facial expression conveys a much greater sacrifice.

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