How to Sign "Subway"

To sign 'subway', hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down to represent the ground. Form a 'Y' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your thumb and pinky while keeping your other fingers curled. Place your dominant hand underneath your non-dominant hand and slide it back and forth a couple of times.

Examples Using "Subway" in a Sentence

1

I ride the subway every day.

Sign 'subway', then sign 'every day' by brushing an 'A' handshape forward along your jawline a couple of times.

2

The subway is too crowded.

After signing 'subway', use the sign for 'crowded' by bringing your hands together with a rubbing or crunching motion, accompanied by a strained facial expression.

3

Let's meet at the subway station.

Sign 'subway', then sign 'meet' by bringing your two index fingers together, pointing them toward each other to represent two people coming together.

How to Sign "Subway"
To sign 'subway', hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing down to represent the ground. Form a 'Y' handshape with your dominant hand by extending your thumb and pinky while keeping your other fingers curled. Place your dominant hand underneath your non-dominant hand and slide it back and forth a couple of times.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual. Your flat, stationary non-dominant hand represents the surface of the street or ground. The 'Y' handshape sliding back and forth underneath perfectly illustrates a subway train traveling through an underground tunnel.
Signing Tips
Keep your non-dominant hand completely still while signing 'subway'. It acts as the stationary ground level, so only your dominant 'Y' hand should be doing the moving to represent the train.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using a flat handshape for the moving hand instead of the 'Y' handshape. Make sure your thumb and pinky are clearly extended on your dominant hand as it slides underneath.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Subway" in a Sentence
1

I ride the subway every day.

Sign 'subway', then sign 'every day' by brushing an 'A' handshape forward along your jawline a couple of times.

2

The subway is too crowded.

After signing 'subway', use the sign for 'crowded' by bringing your hands together with a rubbing or crunching motion, accompanied by a strained facial expression.

3

Let's meet at the subway station.

Sign 'subway', then sign 'meet' by bringing your two index fingers together, pointing them toward each other to represent two people coming together.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for the Subway sandwich restaurant?

Yes! Many Deaf people use this exact same sign for the restaurant chain, though some may choose to fingerspell S-U-B-W-A-Y or use the sign for 'sandwich' depending on the context.

Does it matter which hand is on top?

Yes, your non-dominant hand should always be the flat hand on top, acting as the ground. Your dominant hand should be the one doing the moving underneath.

How many times should I slide my hand back and forth?

Typically, a couple of quick, short back-and-forth movements are enough to clearly convey the sign. You don't need to make the movement overly large.

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