How to sign
Please in ASL
Please is a flat hand circling on the chest. It's one of the first signs taught and one of the most used, both to ask politely and to say 'go ahead.'
- Single sign
- One hand
- Handshape: Flat B hand
- Center of chest
- First Signs
How to sign please
- 1
Place a flat hand, palm against your chest.
- 2
Circle it clockwise (from your point of view) two or three times.
- 3
Add a soft, slightly asking expression. PLEASE with a flat face reads as impatient.
Common mistakes
- Using a fist. That's SORRY.
- Circling too big or too fast. Keep it small and smooth, like rubbing a spot on your shirt.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Please. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “Please, one moment.”
- “Please, help me.”
Questions about “Please”
Usually at the end, or on its own. 'Water, please' is WATER PLEASE. You can also sign it alone with a questioning face to mean 'may I?'
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
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.