How to Sign "Unbelievable"
To sign 'unbelievable' (which also means doubt or disbelief), form 'V' handshapes with both hands by extending your index and middle fingers. Bring both hands up near your eyes with your palms facing toward you. Alternate moving your hands up and down a short distance in front of your face. As you do this, you can slightly bend your fingers. Make sure to include a strong facial expression—either wide-eyed shock for something amazing, or furrowed brows for something you are skeptical about.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual and relates directly to the concept of seeing. The 'V' handshapes placed near the eyes represent your line of sight or your eyes looking at a situation. The alternating, wavering up-and-down movement symbolizes that what you are seeing is shaky, questionable, or hard to trust, perfectly capturing the feeling of doubt or disbelief.
Signing Tips
When signing 'unbelievable', your facial expression is just as important as your hand movements! Because this sign can mean both 'amazingly shocking' and 'highly doubtful', your face provides the necessary context. If you are amazed, widen your eyes and open your mouth slightly. If you are skeptical and literally do not believe a story, narrow your eyes, furrow your brows, and perhaps shake your head slightly while alternating your 'V' hands.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake beginners make is moving both hands up and down at the exact same time. Remember that the hands must alternate—as one goes up, the other goes down. Another frequent error is signing this with a completely blank face, which leaves the viewer unsure if you are amazed, confused, or doubtful. Always match your facial expression to the emotion behind the word.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Unbelievable" in a Sentence
1The magic trick was unbelievable!
To express amazement, sign 'MAGIC' and then use the 'UNBELIEVABLE' sign. Make sure to widen your eyes and drop your jaw to show that you are truly in awe of the trick.
2It's unbelievable how fast he runs.
Sign 'HE RUN FAST', followed by the 'UNBELIEVABLE' sign. Emphasize the alternating movement of your hands and use an expressive, surprised face to highlight just how incredibly fast the person is.
3I find her excuse unbelievable.
Sign 'HER EXCUSE', then use 'UNBELIEVABLE'. For this context, furrow your eyebrows and narrow your eyes while signing to convey skepticism and show that you literally do not believe what she said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this sign also mean 'doubt'?
Yes, absolutely! This sign is very versatile and is commonly used to mean 'doubt', 'skeptical', 'cynical', or 'disbelief'. The exact English translation depends heavily on the context of your conversation and the specific facial expression you use.
Do I need to bend my fingers while moving my hands?
Many signers do slightly bend or 'scrunch' their index and middle fingers as the hands move downward. However, keeping the 'V' handshape relatively straight while alternating the hands up and down is also perfectly acceptable and widely understood by fluent signers.
Are there other ways to sign 'unbelievable'?
Yes! Depending on the context, you can sign 'CAN'T' followed by 'BELIEVE' for a literal translation. If something is positively mind-blowing, you might use the 'MIND-BLOWN' sign. The alternating 'V' hands version is best for skepticism, doubt, or shock.
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