How to Express “Been” in Sign Language
American Sign Language has no single sign for the English word “been.” Here is how signers convey its meaning, plus a sign often used for “have been” and how to check your form.
The short answer
American Sign Language (ASL), the main sign language used in the US, generally has no standalone sign that matches the English word “been.” ASL is a separate language with its own grammar, not a word-for-word code for English. It does not use a “to be” verb the way English does, so you express what “been” means in the sentence rather than translating the word itself.
The right approach depends on what “been” is doing in your sentence. The common cases are an ongoing action that started in the past and continues now (“I’ve been waiting”), a completed experience (“I’ve been to Chicago”), and a question about whereabouts (“Where have you been?”).
Which sign language are you using?
Sign languages differ by country and community. British Sign Language, for example, is not mutually intelligible with ASL, and its signs and grammar differ. This guide covers ASL. If you sign another language, check with a dictionary or teacher for that language.
Some educational settings use manually coded English systems, such as Signed Exact English (SEE). These follow English word order and may have signs for individual English words and word endings. Those systems are not ASL. Any sign they use for “been” should be checked in a resource for that specific system, since that sign is not described here.
How to convey “been” in ASL, by meaning
“Have been” for something that started in the past and continues now
Signers often use the sign usually glossed as SINCE. A gloss is the English label written for a sign. Some teaching resources also give this sign the labels “have been,” “up to now,” or “all along.” In the form commonly taught, both hands use the index-finger handshape. The fingertips start near the shoulder area, then arc forward and slightly up, so the palms end facing up. It shows a span of time running from the past to the present.
Sentence structure matters as much as the sign. ASL usually sets the time frame early in the sentence. It can also show an ongoing or long-lasting action by changing the movement of the verb, for example by repeating or stretching the motion. Your facial expression can add meaning such as “a long time.”
“Have been” for a completed experience
For finished events or experiences, ASL often uses the sign glossed as FINISH to mark that something is complete. It can also name the place or time directly, without any sign for “been.” The meaning comes from the completion marker and the context, not from a separate “been” sign.
“Where have you been?”
This question is usually rephrased by meaning, such as asking where the person went, rather than translated word for word. As in other ASL questions, the question sign and facial grammar carry the meaning. For wh-questions, that typically means lowered or furrowed eyebrows.
Practicing and checking your signing
- 1. Rewrite your English sentence in terms of meaning: ongoing up to now, finished, or a question about where someone was.
- 2. Choose the approach that fits: SINCE plus time and verb movement for ongoing situations, FINISH or context for completed ones, or a rephrased question.
- 3. Watch a video of each sign in a reputable ASL dictionary or from a Deaf instructor. Written descriptions cannot fully capture handshape, movement and facial expression.
- 4. Record yourself and compare it side by side with the reference video. Check that your handshape, starting position, direction of movement and facial expression match.
- 5. If possible, ask a fluent or Deaf signer whether your sentence reads naturally. Matching a dictionary video confirms the form of a single sign, not whether the whole sentence is grammatical or natural.
Limitations of this guide
No specific dictionary entries, videos or expert reviews were supplied for this article. The sign descriptions above reflect commonly taught forms and are given as general guidance. Signs vary by region, community and age group, and a sign’s exact form and accepted labels can differ between sources. Treat the descriptions as a starting point, and confirm them against a video reference or a qualified ASL teacher before relying on them.