How to sign
Hello in ASL
Hello is the ASL greeting you'll use most. It's a small salute from the forehead that opens outward, or simply a friendly wave. Either one works in any setting.
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Flat B hand
- Forehead, moving outward
- First Signs
How to sign hello
- 1
Put a flat hand, fingers together, at the side of your forehead like a relaxed salute.
- 2
Move it forward and slightly out, away from your head, in one short arc.
- 3
Smile. A greeting with a blank face reads as cold, so let your face say hello too.
Common mistakes
- Starting the sign too far from the head. The hand begins at the forehead; starting in the air in front of you looks like a wave at a stranger.
- Making the arc big and slow. HELLO is quick and light.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Hello. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “Hello, nice to meet you.”
Questions about “Hello”
Yes. A simple wave is a completely acceptable hello in ASL, and most people use it casually. The salute-style HELLO is a little more deliberate and works well when you're introducing yourself.
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.