How to Sign Brother in American Sign Language

If you want to sign "brother" in American Sign Language (ASL), the sign has two parts. It starts near the forehead, where many signs for male family members begin. It ends with one hand landing on the other, in a motion that comes from the sign for SAME. This guide covers the handshape, the movement and how to check your form. It also notes where a written description runs out.

The short answer

In ASL, make an L shape with both hands by extending the thumb and index finger. Touch the thumb of your dominant hand to your forehead. Then move that hand down and forward until it rests on top of your other L hand, so both index fingers point forward in the same direction.

First, check which sign language you mean

Sign languages are not universal. The sign described here is from ASL, which is used in the United States and parts of Canada. British Sign Language (BSL), Auslan and other national sign languages have their own signs for brother, and they do not look like the ASL sign. If you are communicating with someone who uses a different sign language, learn their sign rather than relying on this one.

Step by step: signing BROTHER in ASL

• 1. Decide which hand is dominant. Use the hand you write with, and keep using it for the moving part of the sign.
• 2. Form an L with each hand. Extend the thumb and index finger, and curl the other three fingers in.
• 3. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body at about chest or waist height. Point the index finger forward and the thumb up.
• 4. Bring your dominant L hand to your forehead and touch your thumb lightly to it.
• 5. Move your dominant hand down and forward in one smooth motion.
• 6. Set your dominant hand on top of your non-dominant hand so the two L shapes stack, with both index fingers pointing forward.

How to tell whether you did it right

A mirror or your phone's front camera lets you watch yourself while you practice. Check these points:

• The sign starts at the forehead, not at the chin or cheek.
• Both hands form a clear L, with the other fingers tucked in.
• The motion is a single downward movement, not several taps on the way down.
• The dominant hand ends resting on the other hand, and both index fingers point the same way.
• The dominant hand moves and the non-dominant hand stays still.

A self-check confirms that your hands match the description. It cannot confirm that a fluent signer would see your sign as natural. Only feedback from a fluent signer can tell you that.

A common variation

Some signers use only the index finger on each hand instead of an L. The forehead-to-hand movement is the same. Regional, generational and family preferences also produce other variants. If the person you are signing with uses a different version, follow theirs.

Don't confuse it with SISTER

ASL often marks family signs by where they start. Signs for male relatives tend to begin near the forehead, and signs for female relatives near the chin or jaw. SISTER uses a similar movement that ends on the non-dominant hand, but it starts near the jaw. Starting at the wrong spot can turn "brother" into "sister," so pay close attention to the starting point.

What this guide can't settle

No verified source material was supplied for this guide. The description above reflects commonly taught ASL, but it has not been checked against a specific dictionary or instructor. Written steps also leave out details that matter in real signing, such as exact palm angle, speed and the facial expression that goes with the sign in a sentence. Phrases like "older brother," "younger brother" or "brother-in-law" add more signs, and those vary. To confirm the sign, compare your version with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary, or ask a Deaf signer or certified ASL instructor to watch you.