How to Sign "Wake Up"

To sign 'wake up', start with both hands near the sides of your eyes, with your index fingers and thumbs pinched together. Quickly pop your index fingers and thumbs open, extending them outward. This movement mimics your eyelids suddenly opening when you wake up.

Examples Using "Wake Up" in a Sentence

1

I wake up at 7 AM.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'wake up', and then sign 'time', '7', and 'morning'.

2

Did you wake up late?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'wake up', then 'late'. Remember to raise your eyebrows throughout the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.

3

It's time to wake up!

Sign 'time', then 'wake up'. You can make the popping motion of your fingers slightly larger and more energetic to show enthusiasm.

How to Sign "Wake Up"
To sign 'wake up', start with both hands near the sides of your eyes, with your index fingers and thumbs pinched together. Quickly pop your index fingers and thumbs open, extending them outward. This movement mimics your eyelids suddenly opening when you wake up.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
This sign is highly visual and iconic. The pinched fingers represent closed eyelids, and the sudden opening of the index finger and thumb mimics the eyelids popping open as a person wakes from sleep.
Signing Tips
Make sure to place your hands right next to your eyes, not down by your chin or up by your forehead. The popping motion of your fingers should be crisp and quick to clearly convey the sudden action of waking up. You can also widen your own eyes slightly as you do the sign for added expression.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using all of your fingers to open up, rather than just the index finger and thumb. Another mistake is doing the sign too far away from the face; the hands need to be close to the eyes to clearly represent eyelids opening.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Wake Up" in a Sentence
1

I wake up at 7 AM.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'wake up', and then sign 'time', '7', and 'morning'.

2

Did you wake up late?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'wake up', then 'late'. Remember to raise your eyebrows throughout the sentence to indicate a yes/no question.

3

It's time to wake up!

Sign 'time', then 'wake up'. You can make the popping motion of your fingers slightly larger and more energetic to show enthusiasm.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'wake up' the same as 'awake'?

Yes, the sign for 'wake up' and 'awake' are generally the same. The context of your sentence will let the other person know which English concept you mean.

Can I use just one hand to sign 'wake up'?

While it might be understood in casual conversation, the standard and most clear way to sign 'wake up' uses both hands to represent both eyes opening. Using two hands is highly recommended for beginners.

Is this the same sign used for 'oversleep'?

No, 'oversleep' or 'sleep in' uses a completely different sign. 'Wake up' specifically refers to the action of opening your eyes and becoming conscious.

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