How to sign
Congratulations in ASL
Congratulations claps both hands together a few times in front of the chest, like a handshake with yourself. Big smile required.
- Single sign
- Two hands
- Handshape: Open hands
- In front of chest
- First Signs
How to sign congratulations
- 1
Bring both open hands together in front of your chest as if shaking hands with yourself.
- 2
Shake them together two or three times.
- 3
Smile. This sign without a smile looks like a business handshake.
Common mistakes
- Clapping with flat palms. The hands clasp, like a handshake, rather than slap together.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Congratulations. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “Congratulations on winning!”
Questions about “Congratulations”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for congratulations. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
Greetings
How to say hello, goodbye, good morning, and nice to meet you in ASL, plus the etiquette of getting someone's attention before you sign.
From the blog
How Long Does It Take to Learn ASL? An Honest Timeline
What you can realistically sign after one week, one month, six months, and two years of ASL, and the daily habits that move you between those stages faster.