How to Sign "Sixteen"
To sign 'sixteen', bring the thumb and the pinkie together, leaving the ring, middle, and index fingers outstretched. Move the pinkie back and forth against the tip of the thumb.
Examples Using "Sixteen" in a Sentence
1
I get my driver's license when I turn sixteen.
To sign this, you would sign 'age' by pulling down from your chin, and then smoothly transition into the 'sixteen' handshape. Make sure the rubbing motion of your pinkie against your thumb is clear to emphasize the exact age.
2
There are sixteen candles on the birthday cake.
When describing the quantity of candles, hold your hand up clearly and perform the rubbing motion with your pinkie and thumb. Follow this immediately with the sign for 'candles' to show exactly how many are on the cake.
3
The total cost is sixteen dollars.
Sign 'sixteen' by bringing your thumb and pinkie together and rubbing them, then follow it with the sign for 'dollars'. Keep your palm facing outward so the person you are paying can easily read the number.
How to Sign "Sixteen"
To sign 'sixteen', bring the thumb and the pinkie together, leaving the ring, middle, and index fingers outstretched. Move the pinkie back and forth against the tip of the thumb.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'sixteen' is visually rooted in the ASL sign for the number '6', which is formed by touching the thumb and pinkie together. In ASL, the numbers sixteen through nineteen are often formed by taking the base number (6, 7, 8, or 9) and adding a specific movement to represent the 'teen' suffix (adding ten). The repetitive rubbing or flicking motion of the pinkie against the thumb is the visual modifier that transforms the static number six into sixteen.
Signing Tips
To make your sign for 'sixteen' look natural, focus on isolating the movement to your fingers. Keep your wrist, hand, and arm completely still. Let your pinkie finger do all the work by rubbing back and forth against the tip of your thumb. Ensure your index, middle, and ring fingers remain comfortably outstretched and separated, pointing upward. Tension in your hand can make the movement look stiff, so try to keep your hand relaxed while maintaining the clear '6' handshape.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is shaking their entire hand or twisting their wrist from side to side. Remember that for this specific variation, the wrist stays stationary while only the pinkie moves. Another frequent error is allowing the outstretched index, middle, and ring fingers to curl downward or bunch together. If those fingers aren't clearly extended, the sign can look messy or be confused with other handshapes. Keep them tall and visible to ensure your number is easily read.
Regional Variations
Yes, 'sixteen' has a few common variations. While the rubbing motion described here is widely understood, some signers twist the '6' handshape forward twice from the wrist, or sign a '1' followed quickly by a '6'. Stick to the rubbing variation as you learn, but be prepared to see these other versions in the Deaf community.
Examples Using "Sixteen" in a Sentence
1I get my driver's license when I turn sixteen.
To sign this, you would sign 'age' by pulling down from your chin, and then smoothly transition into the 'sixteen' handshape. Make sure the rubbing motion of your pinkie against your thumb is clear to emphasize the exact age.
2There are sixteen candles on the birthday cake.
When describing the quantity of candles, hold your hand up clearly and perform the rubbing motion with your pinkie and thumb. Follow this immediately with the sign for 'candles' to show exactly how many are on the cake.
3The total cost is sixteen dollars.
Sign 'sixteen' by bringing your thumb and pinkie together and rubbing them, then follow it with the sign for 'dollars'. Keep your palm facing outward so the person you are paying can easily read the number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way should my palm face when signing sixteen?
When signing this rubbing variation of 'sixteen', your palm should generally face outward, away from your body. This makes the outstretched fingers and the movement of your pinkie clearly visible to the person you are conversing with.
Is it okay if I shake my wrist instead of rubbing my fingers?
For this specific version of the sign, you should avoid shaking your wrist. The movement must be isolated to the pinkie rubbing against the thumb. Shaking the wrist is actually a different regional variation of the sign.
How do I tell the difference between six and sixteen?
The difference is entirely in the movement. The number '6' uses the exact same handshape—thumb and pinkie touching—but is held completely still. 'Sixteen' adds the continuous back-and-forth rubbing motion of the pinkie against the thumb.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!