How to sign “advice” and “advise”

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), “advice” and “advise” are usually signed with the same basic sign. Hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing down. Rest the bunched fingertips of your dominant hand on the back of that hand. Then push your dominant hand forward and away while spreading your fingers open. The idea is that something is passed from you to another person.

This guide describes ASL as commonly used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, have their own signs for this concept. If you are communicating with someone who uses a different sign language, do not assume the ASL sign will carry over.

The sign at a glance

Part of the sign | What to do

Non-dominant hand | Flat hand, fingers together, palm facing down, held in front of your body around chest or lower-chest height

Dominant hand at the start | Fingertips gathered together with the thumb (often called a flat O handshape), touching the back of the non-dominant hand

Movement | Push the dominant hand forward, off the back of the other hand

Dominant hand at the end | Fingers spread open (a 5 handshape), palm generally facing down

Facial expression | Neutral or matching the tone of what you are saying, as with any ASL sentence

Step by step

• 1. Decide which hand is dominant. Use the hand you naturally write or sign with; the other hand stays mostly still.
• 2. Place your non-dominant hand flat in front of your chest, palm down, fingers pointing roughly to the side.
• 3. Bring the fingertips of your dominant hand together into a bunched shape and touch them to the back of your non-dominant hand.
• 4. Move your dominant hand forward, away from your body, as it leaves the back of the other hand.
• 5. Open your dominant hand as it moves, ending with the fingers spread.
• 6. Keep the motion smooth and controlled rather than flicking.

Advice versus advise

English separates the noun (advice) and the verb (advise) by spelling and pronunciation. ASL handles this differently. Many signers use the same sign for both and let the sentence make the meaning clear.

ASL often marks a noun with a smaller, repeated version of the related verb's movement. Some signers apply that pattern here, using a shorter double movement for “advice” and a single, fuller movement for “advise.” This varies by signer and region. Using the single-movement form for both is generally understood, but a fluent signer can tell you what is natural in your community.

Showing who is advising whom

The verb form is commonly treated as directional. That means the direction of the movement can show who gives the advice and who receives it, so you do not always need separate signs for “I,” “you” or “them.”

• I advise you: move the sign from near your body outward toward the person you are talking to.
• You advise me: start the sign out toward the other person and move it back toward yourself.
• I advise them: move the sign toward the spot in space where you have placed that person, or toward them if they are present.

If directional verbs are new to you, the basic forward version is a safe default. The listener can still follow your meaning from context.

Common mistakes

• Keeping the dominant hand closed the whole time: the opening of the fingers is part of the sign.
• Starting with the fingertips in the air: begin with them touching the back of the non-dominant hand.
• Turning the non-dominant palm up: the base hand should face down.
• Moving the sign sideways: for the basic form, the movement goes forward, or toward the person receiving the advice.

How to check that you have it right

Practice in front of a mirror, or record a short video of yourself, and compare it with the table above. Confirm that the handshape starts bunched, opens as it moves, and travels away from the base hand. A recording is useful because you can watch the movement at normal speed instead of glancing at your hands mid-sign.

If you plan to use the sign on a video call, sign a test in front of your camera and check that both hands stay in the frame through the whole movement, including the end point where your fingers spread. A forward movement can be harder to read on a flat screen than in person, so make it clear and do not rush it.

Self-checking confirms that you match the written description. It does not confirm that the sign looks natural to fluent signers or fits local usage. A written description also cannot fully show timing, rhythm or how the sign blends into a sentence. For that, watch a video demonstration from a reputable ASL dictionary or course, or ask a Deaf signer or qualified ASL instructor for feedback.