How to Sign "Very Good"
To sign "very good," start by holding your dominant hand flat with your fingers together, palm facing toward your body near your chin or upper chest. Move your hand forward and slightly downward in a strong, deliberate arc, finishing with your palm facing up. To convey the meaning of "very," it is essential to use an emphasized facial expression, such as an impressed look or an approving nod, while making the movement larger and firmer than the standard sign for "good."
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The base sign for "good" is thought to originate from the idea of offering something positive or showing something favorable, moving from the mouth or heart outward to the receiver. By making this gesture larger, firmer, and pairing it with an intense facial expression, the visual meaning is naturally amplified to mean "very good" or "excellent."
Signing Tips
In ASL, words like "very" are often incorporated into the sign itself rather than signed as a separate word. To change "good" into "very good," focus on your facial expressions and the intensity of your movement. Make the forward motion firmer and slightly larger. Pair this with a strong, approving facial expression—like an impressed nod or raised eyebrows—to clearly communicate the added emphasis.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is trying to sign the English word "very" before signing "good." In ASL, intensity is usually shown through your face and body language instead of a separate sign. Another common error is keeping a blank facial expression; without an approving or intense look, the sign will just look like a regular "good" rather than "very good."
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Very Good" in a Sentence
1The food was very good.
Sign "FOOD" followed by "VERY GOOD," making sure to use an expressive, approving face to show how much you enjoyed the meal.
2You did a very good job on the test.
Point to the person (YOU), sign "TEST," and then sign "VERY GOOD" with a strong, affirming forward motion to praise their effort.
3I feel very good today.
Sign "TODAY," point to yourself (I), sign "FEEL," and finish with "VERY GOOD," smiling brightly to emphasize your positive mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign the word 'very' separately?
No, you do not need a separate sign for 'very.' In ASL, you show intensity by modifying the base sign. For 'very good,' you make the movement for 'good' larger and firmer, and you add an emphasized, approving facial expression.
Can I use two hands to sign 'very good'?
Yes! While the standard sign uses just your dominant hand, you can use both hands moving forward simultaneously if you want to show extreme enthusiasm or say something is absolutely fantastic.
Where exactly should my hand start?
Your dominant hand should start near your chin or upper chest. In casual conversation, it often drops slightly lower to the chest area, but the key is the outward, palm-up motion toward the person you are talking to.
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