Start with both hands in closed fists near your cheeks or the sides of your eyes. Suddenly flick your index fingers and thumbs open to form 'L' shapes, moving your hands slightly outward. It is absolutely crucial to match the sign with a surprised facial expression by widening your eyes and dropping your jaw.
Sign 'I', then sign 'surprised' with a very big, exaggerated facial expression to show how shocked you were, followed by the sign for 'party'.
Point to the person to sign 'you', sign 'surprised', and make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign 'news', then sign 'surprised'. Make sure the speed of your hand movement and your facial expression match the suddenness of hearing the unexpected information.
Sign 'I', then sign 'surprised' with a very big, exaggerated facial expression to show how shocked you were, followed by the sign for 'party'.
Point to the person to sign 'you', sign 'surprised', and make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly at the end to indicate a yes/no question.
Sign 'news', then sign 'surprised'. Make sure the speed of your hand movement and your facial expression match the suddenness of hearing the unexpected information.
Yes! In ASL, facial expressions are a core part of the grammar and vocabulary. A neutral face will make the sign look incomplete or confusing. Always widen your eyes and open your mouth to match the emotion.
They are very similar and visually related! 'Wake up' also uses the hands flicking open near the eyes. However, 'surprised' is usually a larger, more sudden movement accompanied by a visibly shocked facial expression, whereas 'wake up' is often a gentler motion.
While casual signing might sometimes drop a hand for convenience, 'surprised' is typically a two-handed sign to show the full impact of the emotion. Beginners should always practice using both hands to be as clear and expressive as possible.
