How to Sign "Thank"
Start with your dominant hand flat, fingers together, and place your fingertips on your chin. Move your hand forward and slightly down, away from your face, in a smooth motion. As your hand moves forward, keep your palm facing up and direct the movement toward the person you are thanking.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly iconic, resembling the act of taking words of gratitude from your mouth and offering them forward to another person.
Signing Tips
Keep your hand flat and your fingers together throughout the motion. To show extra gratitude, you can use both hands simultaneously or add a warm, sincere smile. Remember to direct the sign toward the specific person you are thanking.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is starting the sign from the lips or nose instead of the chin. Another mistake is bending or flicking the fingers outward rather than moving the entire flat hand forward.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Thank" in a Sentence
1Thank you for the gift.
Sign 'thank' by moving your hand from your chin toward the person, followed by the sign for 'gift'.
2I forgot to thank her.
Sign 'I' and 'forget', then sign 'thank' by directing the forward motion toward the space representing her.
3We should thank everyone.
Sign 'we' and 'should', then sign 'thank' while sweeping your hand in a slight arc to indicate thanking multiple people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'thank' the same as the sign for 'good'?
They are very similar! Both start with the flat hand at the chin. However, 'good' typically ends by placing the dominant hand into the palm of your non-dominant hand, while 'thank' simply moves forward into the air.
Can I use two hands to sign 'thank'?
Yes! While the standard sign uses just your dominant hand, using both hands to make the same motion from the chin outward translates to 'thank you very much' or shows deep appreciation.
Do I need to change the sign depending on who I am thanking?
Yes, 'thank' is a directional sign. You should move your hand from your chin toward the person you are thanking. If they are to your right, move your hand forward and to the right.
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