How to Sign "Thank You"
Take your dominant hand in the closed 5 handshape, palms facing inward. Touch the middle finger to the lip and pull your hand away. This sign can be repeated multiple times to inflect saying thank you many times.
Examples Using "Thank You" in a Sentence
1
Thank you for your help.
Sign 'thank you' by touching your lip with the middle finger of your closed 5 handshape and pulling it away, followed by the sign for 'help.' Smile warmly to show genuine appreciation.
2
Thank you very much!
To show extra gratitude, repeat the 'thank you' sign two or three times. Pull your hand away from your lips repeatedly while nodding and maintaining an enthusiastic facial expression.
3
No, thank you.
First, sign 'no' with a polite head shake, then follow immediately with the standard 'thank you' sign, moving your hand from your lips outward toward the person you are addressing.
How to Sign "Thank You"
Take your dominant hand in the closed 5 handshape, palms facing inward. Touch the middle finger to the lip and pull your hand away. This sign can be repeated multiple times to inflect saying thank you many times.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'thank you' is highly iconic and visually represents the act of taking a good word or a feeling of gratitude directly from your mouth and offering it forward to the person you are thanking.
Signing Tips
When signing 'thank you,' your facial expression is just as important as your hand movement. A warm, genuine smile conveys your gratitude clearly. Make sure to use a flat, closed 5 handshape, ensuring your middle finger touches your lip before pulling your hand away. For a standard 'thank you,' a single smooth motion outward is perfect. If you want to emphasize your thanks, you can repeat the motion a few times.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is blowing a kiss instead of signing 'thank you.' Remember to keep your hand flat in a closed 5 handshape rather than puckering your lips or bunching your fingers together. Another frequent error is starting the sign from the forehead, which changes the meaning entirely, rather than starting from the lips.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Thank You" in a Sentence
1Thank you for your help.
Sign 'thank you' by touching your lip with the middle finger of your closed 5 handshape and pulling it away, followed by the sign for 'help.' Smile warmly to show genuine appreciation.
2Thank you very much!
To show extra gratitude, repeat the 'thank you' sign two or three times. Pull your hand away from your lips repeatedly while nodding and maintaining an enthusiastic facial expression.
3No, thank you.
First, sign 'no' with a polite head shake, then follow immediately with the standard 'thank you' sign, moving your hand from your lips outward toward the person you are addressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use two hands to sign 'thank you'?
Yes! Using both hands in the exact same motion—starting at the mouth and moving outward—is a great way to say 'thank you very much' or to show deep, sincere gratitude to an audience.
What is the difference between 'thank you' and 'good'?
They are very similar! 'Thank you' moves from the lips outward toward the person you are thanking. 'Good' also starts at the lips but usually moves downward to land on the palm of your non-dominant hand.
How do I reply when someone signs 'thank you' to me?
In ASL, there isn't a strict, universally required equivalent for 'you're welcome.' You can simply nod, smile, sign 'fine,' or even sign 'thank you' back to them depending on the context of the conversation.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!