How to sign “ask”

In American Sign Language (ASL), the everyday sign for “ask” is made with one hand. Your index finger starts pointing up, then bends into a hook as your hand moves toward the person being asked. The direction of that movement is part of the meaning: it shows who is asking whom.

This guide covers ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, are separate languages with their own signs, so this description does not carry over to them.

Steps for signing “ask”

• 1. Use your dominant hand, the one you write with.
• 2. Make a “1” handshape: extend your index finger straight up and curl your other fingers into your palm, with your thumb holding them down.
• 3. Hold the hand in front of your upper chest, close to your body.
• 4. Move the hand forward toward the person you are asking.
• 5. As the hand moves, bend the index finger into a hook. This bent-finger shape is called the “X” handshape. The bend and the movement should happen together in one smooth motion, not as two separate steps.

How direction changes the meaning

“Ask” is a directional verb in ASL. The start and end points of the movement identify the asker and the person being asked, so you often don't need separate signs for “I,” “you,” or “them.”

Movement | Meaning

From near you toward the other person | I ask you

From the other person's direction toward you | You ask me

From near you toward a spot to your side, where you have placed someone in the conversation | I ask him, her, or them

From one placed spot toward another | One person asks another

Variants you may see

Some signers use a two-handed form: flat palms pressed together with fingers pointing up, as if praying, tipped toward the body. This form is commonly linked to requesting, or asking for something politely. It is less flexible for showing who asks whom. Signs vary by region, community and generation, so local usage may differ from either description.

Don't confuse “ask” with the sign for the noun “question.” That sign traces a question mark in the air with the index finger. If you mean the act of asking, use the directional sign described above.

“Asked” and “ask to” in sign language

ASL verbs don't change form for past tense the way English adds “-ed.” To sign “asked,” use the same sign for “ask” and set the time another way. You can add a time sign such as “yesterday” or “before,” rely on time already established in the conversation, or add the sign often glossed as FINISH to show the action is complete.

To sign “ask someone to do something,” sign “ask” directed at that person, then sign the action. If you are making a request or favor rather than asking a question, a sign for “request” may fit better. The two-handed palms-together form above is one common choice.

How to check that your sign is right

• Watch yourself in a mirror, or record a short clip. Check that the finger starts straight and ends hooked, and that the hand moves toward your intended target.
• Compare your version with a video entry for “ask” in an ASL dictionary. Video shows timing and movement that a written description cannot.
• Ask a fluent signer, ideally a Deaf ASL user or a qualified instructor, to watch you sign it. This is the most reliable check of whether your sign reads naturally and matches local usage.

Limits of this guide

No source material was supplied for this article. The description above reflects commonly taught ASL and has not been checked against a specific dictionary or reference. Small details, such as the exact palm angle, can vary between signers and teaching sources. A written description also cannot show the facial expression and body movement that carry grammar in ASL. If accuracy matters, for example in a class, at work or with a Deaf family member, confirm the sign with a video reference or a fluent signer.