How to Sign "Just" in American Sign Language

The short answer: it depends on which "just" you mean

American Sign Language (ASL) does not have one sign that covers every use of the English word "just." ASL signs carry meanings rather than English words, so the sign you need depends on what "just" means in your sentence. Choosing the wrong meaning can change what you say. For example, the sign for "only" will not tell someone that something happened a moment ago.

This guide assumes ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, use different signs. No source material was supplied for this article, so the descriptions below are general and should be checked against a video dictionary or a fluent signer before you rely on them.

Match the meaning to the sign

Meaning of "just" | Example sentence | How ASL usually expresses it

Only, merely | I just want water. | The sign ONLY

A moment ago, recently | She just left. | A sign meaning RECENTLY or JUST-NOW

Fair, morally right | A just decision | Signs meaning FAIR or JUSTICE

Exactly, precisely | That's just right. | A sign meaning EXACT or RIGHT, often with matching facial expression

Emphasis | It's just amazing. | Usually no separate sign; emphasis comes from facial expression and how strongly the main sign is made

"Just" meaning "only"

The sign ONLY is generally made with the index finger extended upward and a small twist of the wrist, so the palm turns as the finger stays upright. Signers differ in the exact direction and size of the twist, so watch a video example to copy the movement accurately.

"Just" meaning "recently"

For something that happened a moment ago, ASL commonly uses a sign meaning RECENTLY, made near the cheek with a hooked index finger and a small repeated movement. Regional and personal variations exist, and the facial expression can show how recent the event was. Confirm the form with a dictionary video.

"Just" meaning "fair"

When "just" describes fairness or justice, signers typically use a sign for FAIR or JUSTICE instead of a word-for-word translation. Several variants are in use, and this article has no supplied evidence to confirm one standard form, so look the sign up rather than guessing.

"Just" as emphasis

In sentences like "It's just amazing," English uses "just" to add emphasis. ASL usually shows this through facial expression and by making the main sign larger or more forceful. Adding a separate sign here can look unnatural.

Fingerspelling as a fallback

If you need to refer to the English word itself, such as when discussing vocabulary, you can fingerspell it with the ASL manual alphabet. Fingerspelling the word does not tell a viewer which meaning you intend, so use a meaning-based sign in ordinary conversation.

• J: raise the pinky finger and trace a J shape in the air
• U: index and middle fingers extended upward, held together
• S: closed fist with the thumb wrapped across the front of the fingers
• T: closed fist with the thumb tucked between the index and middle fingers

How to check that you are signing it correctly

• 1. Decide which meaning of "just" your sentence uses, using the table above.
• 2. Look up that meaning, not the English word, in an ASL video dictionary. Compare more than one example if you can, since signs vary by region.
• 3. Practice in a mirror or record yourself, and compare your handshape, location, movement and palm direction with the video.
• 4. Ask a fluent or Deaf signer to watch. This is the most reliable check, because a dictionary cannot tell you whether your sign looks natural in a full sentence.

Matching a video shows that your sign looks like the reference. It does not confirm that the sign is the most natural choice for your sentence or your local signing community. Only feedback from fluent signers can confirm that.