Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Tonight"

To sign “Tonight”, Resting your non dominant hand into a flat handshape and palm down front of your chest. With your dominant hand into bent “B” handshape and your dominant wrist on the top of your non-dominant hand. Showing your dominant hand going down.

Examples Using "Tonight" in a Sentence

1

Are we going to the movies tonight?

Sign 'MOVIE' and then use the described sign for 'TONIGHT' at the end of the sentence. Make sure your dominant hand moves downward over your non-dominant hand while raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I have a lot of homework tonight.

Sign 'HOMEWORK' followed by 'A-LOT', and finish with the 'TONIGHT' sign. Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat while your dominant wrist rests on top and dips down to establish the time frame.

3

Let's eat dinner together tonight.

Sign 'EAT' and 'TOGETHER', then perform the 'TONIGHT' sign by bringing your bent 'B' hand downward over your flat non-dominant hand. Time signs like this can also be placed at the very beginning of the sentence.

How to Sign "Tonight"
To sign “Tonight”, Resting your non dominant hand into a flat handshape and palm down front of your chest. With your dominant hand into bent “B” handshape and your dominant wrist on the top of your non-dominant hand. Showing your dominant hand going down.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual and iconic in American Sign Language. Your flat, non-dominant hand represents the horizon of the earth, while your dominant hand represents the sun. The downward motion of the dominant hand over the non-dominant hand mimics the sun setting below the horizon, signaling the arrival of the night.
Signing Tips
To execute this sign cleanly, focus on the visual metaphor. Keep your non-dominant hand completely steady in front of your chest to act as the 'horizon.' Ensure your dominant hand is in a clear bent 'B' shape—fingers together and bent at the knuckles—and pivot it smoothly downward at the wrist. Keep your shoulders relaxed and the movement contained.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is moving both hands instead of keeping the non-dominant hand perfectly still. Another common error is using a flat handshape for the dominant hand instead of the required bent 'B' handshape, or sliding the hand forward rather than pivoting it downward at the wrist.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Tonight" in a Sentence
1

Are we going to the movies tonight?

Sign 'MOVIE' and then use the described sign for 'TONIGHT' at the end of the sentence. Make sure your dominant hand moves downward over your non-dominant hand while raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

2

I have a lot of homework tonight.

Sign 'HOMEWORK' followed by 'A-LOT', and finish with the 'TONIGHT' sign. Keep your non-dominant hand steady and flat while your dominant wrist rests on top and dips down to establish the time frame.

3

Let's eat dinner together tonight.

Sign 'EAT' and 'TOGETHER', then perform the 'TONIGHT' sign by bringing your bent 'B' hand downward over your flat non-dominant hand. Time signs like this can also be placed at the very beginning of the sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dominant hand need to be a bent 'B' shape?

The bent 'B' handshape helps clearly distinguish this sign from others that use a flat hand. It visually represents the curvature of the sun as it dips below the flat 'horizon' created by your non-dominant hand.

Do I move both hands when signing tonight?

No, your non-dominant hand should remain completely still, acting as a stationary base or 'horizon.' Only your dominant hand moves downward over the back of your non-dominant hand.

Can I use this exact same sign for the word 'night'?

Yes! The movement described here is the standard ASL sign for 'night.' In everyday conversation, the context of your sentence usually makes it clear that you mean 'tonight' rather than just 'night.'

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!