Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Wife"

The sign 'wife' uses both hands. Bring the non-dominant hand to the chest. The hand should be relaxed and partially cupped, with the palm facing up. With the dominant hand also partially cupped, bring it to the jaw with the palm facing downwards. Tap the thumb against the jaw. Bring the dominant hand down towards the non-dominant. Halfway down, move the hand in a small circle. Then, clasp the dominant hand on top of the non-dominant.

Examples Using "Wife" in a Sentence

1

My wife is a teacher.

Start by pointing to your chest for 'my'. Next, sign 'wife' by tapping your dominant thumb on your jaw, making a small circle, and clasping your non-dominant hand. Finish with the sign for 'teacher'.

2

I love my wife.

Sign 'I' and 'love', then 'my'. For 'wife', remember to keep your non-dominant hand cupped and waiting at your chest while your dominant hand smoothly moves from your jaw to clasp it.

3

Is your wife here?

Sign 'your', then perform 'wife' by connecting the jaw tap to the hand clasp. Finish by signing 'here' and raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

How to Sign "Wife"
The sign 'wife' uses both hands. Bring the non-dominant hand to the chest. The hand should be relaxed and partially cupped, with the palm facing up. With the dominant hand also partially cupped, bring it to the jaw with the palm facing downwards. Tap the thumb against the jaw. Bring the dominant hand down towards the non-dominant. Halfway down, move the hand in a small circle. Then, clasp the dominant hand on top of the non-dominant.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'wife' is a beautiful example of an ASL compound sign, blending two distinct concepts into one fluid motion. The first part of the sign takes place at the jaw, which is the designated signing space for female-related words (like 'mother' or 'girl'). The second part of the sign, where the two hands clasp together, is the traditional ASL sign for 'marry' or 'marriage'. Together, the visual concepts of 'female' and 'marry' create the word 'wife'.
Signing Tips
To make the sign for 'wife' look natural, focus on a smooth, continuous movement. Don't treat the jaw tap and the hand clasp as two completely separate actions. Instead, let the dominant hand flow downward from the jaw, using the small circular motion halfway down to gracefully transition into the final clasp over your non-dominant hand. Keep your hands relaxed and partially cupped throughout the sign to avoid looking stiff.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is starting the sign at the forehead instead of the jaw. In ASL, the forehead is the masculine signing space, so starting there changes the meaning to 'husband'. Another frequent error is forgetting to set up the non-dominant hand at the chest, leaving the dominant hand with nothing to clasp at the end of the movement.
Regional Variations
While the variation taught here includes a small circular motion halfway down, you may see some signers use a more direct path. In casual or rapid conversation, the dominant hand might move straight from the jaw to clasp the non-dominant hand without the intermediate circle.
Examples Using "Wife" in a Sentence
1

My wife is a teacher.

Start by pointing to your chest for 'my'. Next, sign 'wife' by tapping your dominant thumb on your jaw, making a small circle, and clasping your non-dominant hand. Finish with the sign for 'teacher'.

2

I love my wife.

Sign 'I' and 'love', then 'my'. For 'wife', remember to keep your non-dominant hand cupped and waiting at your chest while your dominant hand smoothly moves from your jaw to clasp it.

3

Is your wife here?

Sign 'your', then perform 'wife' by connecting the jaw tap to the hand clasp. Finish by signing 'here' and raising your eyebrows to indicate a yes/no question.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the sign start at the jaw?

In ASL, gender is often indicated by location. Signs related to females, such as 'mother', 'aunt', and 'wife', are placed on the lower half of the face near the chin or jaw. Male signs are placed near the forehead.

Is the small circle in the middle required?

The small circular motion helps create a fluid, natural transition between the 'female' and 'marry' parts of the sign. While some signers might omit it during fast conversation, practicing it helps you develop a smooth signing rhythm.

Can I use my left hand to tap my jaw if I'm left-handed?

Yes! In ASL, you should always use your dominant hand for the primary movement. If you are left-handed, your left hand will tap your jaw and move down to clasp your stationary right hand.

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