How to sign
How Many? in ASL
How many starts with two closed fists that spring open upward, fingers spreading, with a questioning face.
- Phrase
- Two hands
- Handshape: S fists opening to spread hands
- In front of body
- Question Words
- ASL Phrases
How to sign how many
- 1
Hold two fists in front of you, palms up.
- 2
Spring them open upward so the fingers spread.
- 3
Eyebrows down. Put it at the end: YOU HAVE SISTER HOW-MANY.
Common mistakes
- Opening slowly. The spring is quick, like something popping up.
Keep going
More question words signs
Questions about “How Many?”
"How Many?" is signed as a single unit in ASL rather than word-for-word from English.
Guide
Question Words
The six WH-question signs, where they go in an ASL sentence, and the eyebrow rule that makes a question a question. Video for each sign and full question phrases.
From the blog
The First 50 ASL Signs to Learn (and Why These 50)
A teacher-picked starter vocabulary: greetings, replies, pronouns, question words, and feelings that let you hold a real first conversation. Every sign on video.