How to Sign "Thirteen"
To sign 'thirteen', bring the pinkie and ring fingers against your palm. Orient the palm so it is facing you. Bring the middle and index fingers in slightly, then out, then in again to wiggle them.
Examples Using "Thirteen" in a Sentence
1
I have thirteen cousins.
To express this, you will sign 'thirteen' by wiggling your index and middle fingers with your palm facing inward. Follow this immediately with the sign for 'cousins'. Make sure your wrist stays still while signing the number so the focus remains on the finger movement.
2
She is thirteen years old.
When signing ages, you typically sign 'age' or 'old' first, followed by the number. Sign 'thirteen' by bringing your index and middle fingers in and out. Keep your palm facing yourself, which is the standard orientation for teen numbers, ensuring the sign is clear and accurate.
3
My lucky number is thirteen.
Start with the signs for 'my', 'lucky', and 'number'. Then, finish the sentence by signing 'thirteen'. Remember to keep your pinkie and ring fingers firmly pressed against your palm while you wiggle your index and middle fingers together as a single unit.
How to Sign "Thirteen"
To sign 'thirteen', bring the pinkie and ring fingers against your palm. Orient the palm so it is facing you. Bring the middle and index fingers in slightly, then out, then in again to wiggle them.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'thirteen' is logically built upon the base handshape for the number 'three', which prominently features the index and middle fingers. In American Sign Language, the wiggling or bending motion of the fingers is a standard grammatical convention used to indicate the 'teen' numbers from 11 to 15. This inward flexing movement visually represents the addition of ten to the base digit, creating a clear, iconic system for counting that is easy to recognize once you know the pattern.
Signing Tips
When signing 'thirteen', focus on keeping your palm facing toward yourself, which is the standard rule for ASL numbers 11 through 15. Make sure the wiggle movement is crisp and deliberate—bending the index and middle fingers together at the knuckles a couple of times. Try to keep your wrist and arm completely still so the movement comes entirely from your fingers. Relaxing your hand will make the wiggling motion feel much more natural and less robotic.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is turning the palm outward toward the person they are signing to. Remember that for the numbers 11 through 15, your palm should always face inward toward your own body. Another frequent error is wiggling the fingers out of sync or fluttering them randomly. Your index and middle fingers should move together as a single unit, bending in and out at the same time. Keep your pinkie and ring fingers securely tucked away to avoid confusion.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Thirteen" in a Sentence
1I have thirteen cousins.
To express this, you will sign 'thirteen' by wiggling your index and middle fingers with your palm facing inward. Follow this immediately with the sign for 'cousins'. Make sure your wrist stays still while signing the number so the focus remains on the finger movement.
2She is thirteen years old.
When signing ages, you typically sign 'age' or 'old' first, followed by the number. Sign 'thirteen' by bringing your index and middle fingers in and out. Keep your palm facing yourself, which is the standard orientation for teen numbers, ensuring the sign is clear and accurate.
3My lucky number is thirteen.
Start with the signs for 'my', 'lucky', and 'number'. Then, finish the sentence by signing 'thirteen'. Remember to keep your pinkie and ring fingers firmly pressed against your palm while you wiggle your index and middle fingers together as a single unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which way should my palm face for thirteen?
Your palm should always face inward, toward your own body. This is a fundamental rule in ASL for the numbers 1 through 5, as well as the 'teen' numbers 11 through 15. Facing your palm outward changes the grammatical meaning and can confuse the viewer.
Do I move my whole hand or just the fingers?
You should only move your fingers! Keep your wrist, hand, and arm completely steady. The movement comes entirely from bending your index and middle fingers in toward your palm and back out. Moving your whole hand can make the sign look messy or unclear.
Are my index and middle fingers supposed to move together or separately?
They should move together as a single unit. Bring both the index and middle fingers in slightly, then out, then in again at the exact same time. Fluttering them separately or out of sync is a common beginner mistake that makes the number harder to read.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!