How to sign
What in ASL
What is the most common question sign in ASL. One version shakes two open hands, palms up; another slides an index finger across the other palm. Eyebrows down make it a question.
- Single sign
- Two hands
- Handshape: Open hands, palms up
- In front of body
- Question Words
How to sign what
- 1
Hold both hands open, palms up, in front of you.
- 2
Shake them slightly side to side with a questioning shrug.
- 3
Lower your eyebrows and lean in a little. Hold the face until you get an answer.
Common mistakes
- Raised eyebrows. WH-questions use lowered brows; raised brows are for yes/no questions.
- Putting WHAT first, English-style.
Use it in a sentence
English sentences you can sign with What. In ASL the word order can shift and filler words drop away.
- “What is your plan?”
Questions about “What”
Both are standard. The open-hands shrug is more casual and more common in conversation; the finger-across-palm version is a bit more formal. Either is understood everywhere.
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.