Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Your Ugly"

To sign 'ugly', bring your dominant hand up to your face, just below your nose, with your index finger extended and pointing to the opposite side. Move your hand across your face to the dominant side while pulling your index finger into an 'X' handshape. Make sure to include a disgusted or negative facial expression to match the meaning of the word. To sign 'you're ugly', you would point to the person before making this sign.

Examples Using "Your Ugly" in a Sentence

1

You're ugly.

Point directly at the person to sign 'YOU', then perform the sign for 'UGLY' across your face with a disgusted expression.

2

Your attitude is ugly.

Sign 'YOUR' with a flat palm facing the person, sign 'ATTITUDE', and then sign 'UGLY' to describe their negative behavior.

3

That is an ugly shirt.

Point at the shirt, sign 'SHIRT', and follow it with the sign for 'UGLY' to express your opinion about the clothing.

How to Sign "Your Ugly"
To sign 'ugly', bring your dominant hand up to your face, just below your nose, with your index finger extended and pointing to the opposite side. Move your hand across your face to the dominant side while pulling your index finger into an 'X' handshape. Make sure to include a disgusted or negative facial expression to match the meaning of the word. To sign 'you're ugly', you would point to the person before making this sign.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'ugly' originates from the idea of a distorted or unpleasant face. The movement of the finger across the face, pulling into a hooked shape, visually represents contorting one's features, which ties into the concept of something being visually unappealing.
Signing Tips
Facial expressions are crucial in ASL. When signing 'ugly', scrunch your nose and show a look of disgust to convey the full meaning of the word. The movement of the finger pulling into an 'X' handshape should be sharp and deliberate.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is keeping the index finger completely straight throughout the entire movement. Remember to pull the finger into a hooked 'X' handshape as your hand moves across your face. Also, forgetting the negative facial expression can make the sign look robotic and lose its meaning.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Your Ugly" in a Sentence
1

You're ugly.

Point directly at the person to sign 'YOU', then perform the sign for 'UGLY' across your face with a disgusted expression.

2

Your attitude is ugly.

Sign 'YOUR' with a flat palm facing the person, sign 'ATTITUDE', and then sign 'UGLY' to describe their negative behavior.

3

That is an ugly shirt.

Point at the shirt, sign 'SHIRT', and follow it with the sign for 'UGLY' to express your opinion about the clothing.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to sign 'are' when saying 'you are ugly'?

No, ASL does not use 'to be' verbs like 'is' or 'are'. You simply sign 'YOU' followed by 'UGLY'. The meaning 'you are ugly' is naturally understood from the context.

Can this sign be used for things other than people?

Yes! The sign for 'ugly' can be used to describe objects, clothing, weather, or even someone's behavior or attitude. It is a versatile adjective in ASL.

Why is the facial expression so important for this sign?

In ASL, facial expressions function like tone of voice in spoken English. A disgusted or negative expression shows the intensity of how 'ugly' something is, making your communication much clearer and more natural.

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