How to sign
Wait in ASL
Wait wiggles the fingers of both open hands, palms up, held slightly to one side. It's used for 'hold on' and 'wait a second.'
- Single sign
- Two hands
- Handshape: Open hands, palms up
- Off to one side at waist height
- Quick Replies
How to sign wait
- 1
Hold both hands out to one side, palms up, one a little ahead of the other.
- 2
Wiggle all the fingers.
- 3
For 'wait a second,' make it small and quick with a slight head tilt.
Common mistakes
- Holding the hands still. The wiggle is the sign.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with Wait. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “Wait for me.”
Questions about “Wait”
Yes. This clip shows the common ASL sign for wait. Like spoken languages, ASL has regional variation, so you may see small differences from signer to signer.
Guide
Basic Phrases
The first phrases you actually use in a signed conversation: introductions, asking for help, saying you are learning, and keeping things polite. Real video for each one.
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.