How to Sign "Sunday"

Both hands should be the "B" hand shape with the thumb extended and with the palms facing outward. Hands should be placed comfortably between chin and elbow height and proceed to move the hands in small opposing circles along the plane of the palms.

Examples Using "Sunday" in a Sentence

1

I will see you on Sunday.

Sign 'I', 'SEE', 'YOU', and then perform the sign for Sunday by holding up both 'B' hands with palms facing outward and making small, opposing circles.

2

Every Sunday, we go to the park.

To convey this, sign 'SUNDAY' using the outward-facing 'B' hands circling, then sign 'WE', 'GO', 'PARK'. To emphasize 'every,' you can pull the Sunday sign downward slightly as you circle.

3

Is the store open on Sunday?

Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'STORE', 'OPEN', and finish with the 'SUNDAY' sign, ensuring your palms stay facing outward while making the circular motions.

How to Sign "Sunday"
Both hands should be the "B" hand shape with the thumb extended and with the palms facing outward. Hands should be placed comfortably between chin and elbow height and proceed to move the hands in small opposing circles along the plane of the palms.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for Sunday is highly iconic and rooted in American religious history. The raised hands with palms facing outward mimic the traditional posture of a congregation or a minister praising God in church. The gentle circular motion adds a sense of reverence, joy, and ongoing celebration associated with a day of rest.
Signing Tips
Keep your wrists relatively stable and let the circular motion come naturally from your elbows and shoulders. The circles should be synchronized but moving in opposite directions, almost as if you are washing a window with both hands. Make sure your thumbs stay clearly extended from your flat 'B' hands.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake is making the circles too large and exaggerated, which can look frantic. Keep the circles small, gentle, and controlled. Another common error is turning the palms inward toward the face; remember to keep both palms facing outward toward the person you are signing to.
Regional Variations
Another common variation for Sunday uses the exact same outward-facing 'B' hands, but instead of moving in circles, the hands move straight down once or twice. Both variations are widely used and understood across North America.
Examples Using "Sunday" in a Sentence
1

I will see you on Sunday.

Sign 'I', 'SEE', 'YOU', and then perform the sign for Sunday by holding up both 'B' hands with palms facing outward and making small, opposing circles.

2

Every Sunday, we go to the park.

To convey this, sign 'SUNDAY' using the outward-facing 'B' hands circling, then sign 'WE', 'GO', 'PARK'. To emphasize 'every,' you can pull the Sunday sign downward slightly as you circle.

3

Is the store open on Sunday?

Raise your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question. Sign 'STORE', 'OPEN', and finish with the 'SUNDAY' sign, ensuring your palms stay facing outward while making the circular motions.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which way the circles go?

Yes, the hands should move in opposing circles. This means as they circle, they should mirror each other—moving upward, outward, downward, and inward together. Imagine you are polishing a flat surface in front of you with both hands.

Should my fingers be tightly closed or spread apart?

For the 'B' handshape used in this specific sign, your four fingers should be kept together and straight, while your thumb is extended out to the side. Avoid spreading your fingers apart, which would turn it into a '5' handshape.

How big should the circles be?

Keep the circles relatively small and contained. Your hands shouldn't go wider than your shoulders or higher than your face. A gentle, controlled motion about the size of a small plate for each hand is perfect.

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