Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Tuesday"

Form the letter "T" by forming a fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger and the palm facing away from the signer. The tip of the thumb should be visible between the bent index and middle fingers. With the palm facing the signer gently move the arm and hand in a small circle along a horizontal plane at the elbow. You can sign this while simultaneously moving the hand toward the ground to say "every Tuesday."

Examples Using "Tuesday" in a Sentence

1

I will see you on Tuesday.

Sign 'I', 'SEE', 'YOU', and then finish with 'TUESDAY' by making the 'T' handshape and moving it in a small circle with your palm facing inward. You do not need a separate sign for the word 'on'.

2

We have a team meeting every Tuesday.

To show that an event happens weekly, use the 'every Tuesday' variation. Form the 'T' handshape with your palm facing you, and pull your hand straight down toward the ground instead of making a circle.

3

Last Tuesday was really fun.

Sign 'PAST' (or 'LAST') by gesturing over your shoulder, then sign 'TUESDAY' using the circling 'T' handshape. Follow this with 'REALLY FUN' to complete the thought.

How to Sign "Tuesday"
Form the letter "T" by forming a fist with the thumb tucked under the index finger and the palm facing away from the signer. The tip of the thumb should be visible between the bent index and middle fingers. With the palm facing the signer gently move the arm and hand in a small circle along a horizontal plane at the elbow. You can sign this while simultaneously moving the hand toward the ground to say "every Tuesday."
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is a classic example of initialization in American Sign Language. It uses the manual alphabet letter 'T' to represent the first letter of the word 'Tuesday.' The small circular motion is a shared feature among the signs for the days of the week, visually representing the continuous, repeating cycle of a calendar week.
Signing Tips
When signing 'Tuesday,' focus on keeping your movements small and controlled. The circular motion should come primarily from your elbow and wrist, rather than swinging your entire shoulder. Make sure your thumb is correctly placed between your index and middle fingers to form a clear 'T' handshape. Always keep your palm facing toward your body during the circular motion, as this is the standard orientation for most days of the week in ASL.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is drawing a massive circle with their whole arm; keep the circle tight and close to your torso. Another common error is facing the palm outward (away from the signer) instead of inward. Finally, be careful with your 'T' handshape—some learners accidentally tuck their thumb under their middle finger, which creates an 'N' instead of a 'T'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Tuesday" in a Sentence
1

I will see you on Tuesday.

Sign 'I', 'SEE', 'YOU', and then finish with 'TUESDAY' by making the 'T' handshape and moving it in a small circle with your palm facing inward. You do not need a separate sign for the word 'on'.

2

We have a team meeting every Tuesday.

To show that an event happens weekly, use the 'every Tuesday' variation. Form the 'T' handshape with your palm facing you, and pull your hand straight down toward the ground instead of making a circle.

3

Last Tuesday was really fun.

Sign 'PAST' (or 'LAST') by gesturing over your shoulder, then sign 'TUESDAY' using the circling 'T' handshape. Follow this with 'REALLY FUN' to complete the thought.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the word 'on' before Tuesday?

No, in ASL, you do not need to use a separate sign for prepositions like 'on' when talking about days of the week. Simply signing 'TUESDAY' naturally establishes the time frame for your sentence.

How do I change the sign to mean 'every Tuesday'?

To sign 'every Tuesday,' form the same 'T' handshape with your palm facing you, but instead of making a circle, pull your hand straight down toward the ground. This downward motion indicates a recurring weekly event.

Does it matter which way I circle my hand?

Most signers naturally make a small inward circle (counter-clockwise for right-handed signers, clockwise for left-handed signers). However, as long as the circle is small, fluid, and your palm faces inward toward your body, your sign will be easily understood.

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