How to Sign "Tired"
To make the sign tired, take both hands in the bent closed 5 handshape and place fingertips on both sides of chest. Then you will push both hands inwards while keeping fingers on your chest.
Examples Using "Tired" in a Sentence
1
I am very tired today.
Point to yourself for 'I,' then perform the sign for 'tired' by placing your bent hands on your chest and rolling them inward, adding a slumped posture to emphasize 'very.'
2
Are you tired?
Point to the person for 'you,' sign 'tired' with your hands on your chest rolling inward, and make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly to indicate a yes/no question.
3
Time for bed, I'm tired.
Sign 'time' by tapping your wrist, 'bed' by placing your hands by your cheek, and finish with the 'tired' sign, letting your hands drop inward on your chest to show your fatigue.
How to Sign "Tired"
To make the sign tired, take both hands in the bent closed 5 handshape and place fingertips on both sides of chest. Then you will push both hands inwards while keeping fingers on your chest.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'tired' is highly iconic and relies heavily on natural body language. The movement of the hands rolling inward and downward on the chest visually represents the physical sensation of your energy draining away or your body physically slumping from exhaustion. It mimics the way our shoulders and chest naturally drop when we are completely worn out.
Signing Tips
To make your sign look natural, incorporate your body language. When your hands roll inward on your chest, let your shoulders slump slightly, drop your head a bit, and relax your facial expression. This physical drop perfectly mirrors the feeling of exhaustion weighing you down, making the meaning instantly clear and much more expressive.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is sliding the hands down the chest instead of keeping the fingertips planted. Remember, your fingertips should act as a pivot point on your chest while the palms roll inward and downward. Also, avoid keeping your posture stiff; signing 'tired' with a rigid body and a bright smile sends a confusing, mixed message.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Tired" in a Sentence
1I am very tired today.
Point to yourself for 'I,' then perform the sign for 'tired' by placing your bent hands on your chest and rolling them inward, adding a slumped posture to emphasize 'very.'
2Are you tired?
Point to the person for 'you,' sign 'tired' with your hands on your chest rolling inward, and make sure to raise your eyebrows and lean forward slightly to indicate a yes/no question.
3Time for bed, I'm tired.
Sign 'time' by tapping your wrist, 'bed' by placing your hands by your cheek, and finish with the 'tired' sign, letting your hands drop inward on your chest to show your fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show that I am extremely tired?
In ASL, you adjust the intensity of the sign to show degree. For 'extremely tired' or 'exhausted,' make the inward rolling motion of your hands larger and slower, slump your shoulders more dramatically, and use a heavily fatigued facial expression.
Is 'tired' the same sign as 'exhausted'?
They use the same base sign, but 'exhausted' is signed with much more exaggeration. Sometimes, for 'exhausted,' signers will let their hands continue to drop completely off the chest to show that they have absolutely no energy left.
Do my hands slide down my shirt when signing this?
No, your fingertips should stay in the same spot on your chest. Instead of sliding down, your hands pivot on your fingertips, with the palms rolling inward and downward to show your energy dropping.
ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!