How to Sign "Answer"

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign generally used for "answer" (in the sense of a reply or response) starts with both index fingers pointing up, one hand near the mouth and the other slightly in front of it. Both hands then tip forward together so the index fingers end up pointing outward, away from you. The idea is that words leave your mouth and travel toward someone else.

Two things can change which sign you need. The first is the sign language: this guide covers ASL, the main sign language in the United States. British Sign Language and other national sign languages use different signs. The second is the meaning of "answer." Replying to a question uses the sign described here. Picking up a phone call is a different sign.

Meaning you intend | Sign to use

Reply to a question or message | ASL sign for ANSWER/RESPOND (described below)

Answer the phone | A separate phone-related sign; the reply sign is not used for this

The answer to a problem, as in a solution | Context-dependent; check with a dictionary or a fluent signer

How to make the sign step by step

These steps use "dominant hand" for the hand you write or naturally lead with. If you are left-handed, swap the roles of the two hands.

• 1. Make the handshape: on both hands, extend the index finger and curl the other fingers into the palm, with the thumb resting over them.
• 2. Place your dominant index finger upright near your lips or chin, palm facing sideways.
• 3. Hold your other index finger upright a little in front of and below the dominant hand, roughly in line with it.
• 4. Bend both wrists forward together in one smooth motion so the index fingers tip down and point away from you.
• 5. Finish with both index fingers pointing forward, toward the person you are answering.

When you are answering a specific person, the movement is usually directed toward that person. ASL treats this kind of verb as directional, so the direction of the movement shows who is receiving the answer.

How to check that you did it right

Practice in front of a mirror or your phone's front-facing camera. Check each of these points:

• Both hands use the index-finger handshape, with no other fingers sticking out.
• The dominant hand starts close to the mouth, not at the forehead or chest.
• Both hands move at the same time, in one motion, instead of one after the other.
• The sign ends with both fingers pointing outward.

Many front-camera previews and all mirrors show you flipped left to right. That is normal and does not mean you are using the wrong hand. If you want to see what a viewer sees, record a short clip and play it back, because saved recordings are often not mirrored.

A mirror check only confirms that your handshape, position and movement match the written description. It cannot tell you whether a fluent signer would read your sign naturally. It also cannot catch small details like rhythm, facial expression or regional variations.

Limitations of this guide

A written description is a reasonable starting point, but it is not a full substitute for seeing the sign performed. Signs vary by region and community. This guide does not cover whether ASL marks the noun "answer" differently from the verb "to answer," or what other variants are in common use. To confirm the sign, compare your version with a video from an established ASL dictionary, or ask a Deaf signer or a qualified ASL instructor for feedback.