How to Sign "Valuable"

Start with both hands in 'F' handshapes, where your index fingers and thumbs touch to form circles and your other fingers are extended. Hold your hands in front of you, slightly apart, with your palms facing down and slightly forward. Move both hands upward and inward in a smooth arc, turning your palms to face each other, until the circles formed by your index fingers and thumbs meet.

Examples Using "Valuable" in a Sentence

1

This ring is very valuable.

To sign this, point to the ring, then use the sign for 'valuable.' You can emphasize the sign by making the arc motion slightly larger and raising your eyebrows to show just how precious it is.

2

Your help is valuable to me.

Sign 'YOUR HELP' followed by 'VALUABLE.' The sign for 'valuable' here shows that you deeply appreciate the assistance and consider it to be of great importance.

3

We learned a valuable lesson.

Sign 'WE LEARN LESSON VALUABLE.' Place 'valuable' at the end of the sentence to describe the weight and importance of the lesson you just experienced.

How to Sign "Valuable"
Start with both hands in 'F' handshapes, where your index fingers and thumbs touch to form circles and your other fingers are extended. Hold your hands in front of you, slightly apart, with your palms facing down and slightly forward. Move both hands upward and inward in a smooth arc, turning your palms to face each other, until the circles formed by your index fingers and thumbs meet.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign visually represents bringing something of worth or importance up to the center of attention, highlighting it. The 'F' handshape is frequently used in ASL to denote small, precious items like coins or tokens. Bringing these handshapes together in an upward motion emphasizes their collective worth and significance.
Signing Tips
Focus on making a smooth, sweeping arc motion as your hands come together, rather than a sharp or rigid movement. Keep your facial expression engaged to show the degree of value—if something is extremely valuable, you might raise your eyebrows, nod slightly, and make the upward motion a bit larger to emphasize its worth.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using an 'O' handshape instead of an 'F' handshape. Make sure your middle, ring, and pinky fingers remain extended and relaxed, rather than curled inward. Another frequent error is moving the hands straight together horizontally without the upward arc, which can make the sign look stiff.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Valuable" in a Sentence
1

This ring is very valuable.

To sign this, point to the ring, then use the sign for 'valuable.' You can emphasize the sign by making the arc motion slightly larger and raising your eyebrows to show just how precious it is.

2

Your help is valuable to me.

Sign 'YOUR HELP' followed by 'VALUABLE.' The sign for 'valuable' here shows that you deeply appreciate the assistance and consider it to be of great importance.

3

We learned a valuable lesson.

Sign 'WE LEARN LESSON VALUABLE.' Place 'valuable' at the end of the sentence to describe the weight and importance of the lesson you just experienced.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'valuable' the same as 'important'?

Yes, the sign for 'valuable' is exactly the same as the sign for 'important' and 'worth.' The specific meaning is easily understood by the context of your conversation.

Do my hands need to touch at the end of the sign?

Yes, the circles formed by your index fingers and thumbs should gently touch or come very close together at the end of the upward arc to complete the sign properly.

Can I sign this with just one hand?

No, 'valuable' is a symmetrical two-handed sign. Using both hands is necessary to convey the correct meaning and maintain the visual balance of the sign.

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