How to Sign "Life" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), LIFE is usually signed with both hands in an "L" handshape. Hold your thumb and index finger extended and fold your other fingers down. Hold your hands in front of your lower torso with your palms facing your body, then move both hands upward along your chest. The upward motion suggests something rising or being alive.

Many ASL learning materials use the same basic sign for LIFE, LIVE and ALIVE. Context and the rest of the sentence show which meaning is intended.

Points that can change the answer

• Which sign language: This guide describes ASL, the sign language most commonly used in the United States. British Sign Language and other national sign languages are separate languages, and their sign for "life" may be different.
• Handshape variants: Some signers use "A" handshapes (closed fists with the thumbs up along the side) instead of "L" handshapes. Both versions use the same placement and upward movement.
• Which meaning: If you mean "lifetime," "way of life" or a phrase such as "my whole life," signers may phrase it differently instead of using a single word-for-word sign.

Step by step

• 1. Form an "L" with each hand: extend your thumb and index finger and curl the other three fingers into your palm.
• 2. Turn both palms toward your body, with the index fingers pointing roughly upward or slightly toward each other.
• 3. Start with your hands near your waist or lower stomach, a little in front of your body.
• 4. Move both hands upward together along the front of your chest in one smooth motion.
• 5. Stop around mid-chest or upper chest. Don't raise your hands to your face.

How to check your form

• Both hands hold the same handshape throughout the movement.
• Your palms face your body, not outward.
• The movement goes upward, not downward or sideways.
• The sign stays in front of your torso.

A mirror can help you spot handshape and direction errors. It can't confirm whether your sign looks natural or matches local usage, though. The most reliable check is to compare your sign with a Deaf signer, a qualified ASL instructor, or video from an established ASL dictionary.

Limitations of this guide

No source material was supplied for this article. The description above reflects commonly taught ASL forms, not a verified dictionary entry. A written description also can't fully show the movement, speed or facial expression that come with a sign, and regional and generational variants exist. Check the sign against a video demonstration or with a fluent signer before you rely on it in conversation.