How to Sign "Suck"
To sign 'suck', ball the dominant hand into a fist with the index finger outstretched. Open your mouth and tap the tip of your index finger into your open mouth while making a face of disgust.
Examples Using "Suck" in a Sentence
1
That movie really sucked.
Sign 'MOVIE', then use your index finger to tap your open mouth while making a strong face of disgust to show how terrible the film was.
2
It sucks that it's raining today.
Sign 'TODAY' and 'RAIN', then perform the 'suck' sign by tapping your index finger to your mouth with a disappointed, disgusted facial expression to convey your frustration.
3
My internet connection sucks right now.
Sign 'INTERNET', then use the 'suck' sign. Make sure your face clearly shows annoyance and disgust to emphasize how bad the connection is.
How to Sign "Suck"
To sign 'suck', ball the dominant hand into a fist with the index finger outstretched. Open your mouth and tap the tip of your index finger into your open mouth while making a face of disgust.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The visual logic of this sign is tied to the physical reaction of revulsion. It mimics the action of gagging or putting a finger toward the throat to induce vomiting. Over time, this literal gesture of physical sickness evolved in ASL to represent the slang concept of something being terrible, unfortunate, or 'sucking.' The index finger acts as the focal point of the disgust, while the open mouth and facial expression complete the feeling of strong aversion.
Signing Tips
The facial expression is the most important part of this sign! Since this sign is used to mean something is terrible or unfortunate (like 'that sucks'), your face needs to match that feeling. Really exaggerate your face of disgust. Make sure your mouth is open enough for the index finger to tap the edge or just inside the lips, but keep it sanitary—you don't actually need to put your finger deep into your mouth. A light tap at the opening is all you need.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake beginners make is keeping a blank or neutral facial expression. Without the face of disgust, the sign completely loses its slang meaning and will confuse the person you are signing with. Another frequent error is using the wrong handshape, such as an open hand or a thumb. Ensure your hand is balled into a tight fist with only the index finger fully outstretched, tapping right at the opening of your mouth.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Suck" in a Sentence
1That movie really sucked.
Sign 'MOVIE', then use your index finger to tap your open mouth while making a strong face of disgust to show how terrible the film was.
2It sucks that it's raining today.
Sign 'TODAY' and 'RAIN', then perform the 'suck' sign by tapping your index finger to your mouth with a disappointed, disgusted facial expression to convey your frustration.
3My internet connection sucks right now.
Sign 'INTERNET', then use the 'suck' sign. Make sure your face clearly shows annoyance and disgust to emphasize how bad the connection is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this sign mean drinking through a straw?
No, this specific sign is used for the slang meaning of 'suck,' as in 'that is terrible' or 'that's unfortunate.' If you want to sign drinking through a straw, you would mime holding a cup and sucking through a straw with your lips.
Do I actually put my finger inside my mouth?
You don't need to put your finger deep inside your mouth. Simply opening your mouth and lightly tapping the tip of your index finger just inside or on your lips is perfectly fine.
How important is the facial expression for this sign?
It is absolutely crucial! In ASL, facial expressions act like your tone of voice. Without the face of disgust, the person watching you won't understand the strong negative feeling behind the word.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!