How to Sign "Make New Friends" in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the language most widely used by Deaf communities in the US, you can express "make new friends" with three signs: MAKE, NEW and FRIEND. Signs are written in capital letters here, a common convention called glossing, to show that they name signs rather than English words. Because ASL has its own grammar, a direct English-order translation is understandable but not always how a fluent signer would phrase the idea, so the order and word choice may change with context.

One ambiguity matters before you start: "sign language" is not universal. British Sign Language, Auslan and other national sign languages use different signs for these words. This guide covers ASL only.

Before you begin

• Identify your dominant hand: the hand you write with. It does most of the movement; the other hand usually stays still as a base.
• If you are left-handed, mirror every description below.
• Keep a relaxed, friendly facial expression. In ASL, facial expression is part of the grammar and tone, not decoration.

The three signs, step by step

MAKE

• Form both hands into loose fists (the S handshape), with the thumb wrapped across the front of the fingers.
• Stack your dominant fist on top of your non-dominant fist.
• Twist your hands in opposite directions, as if wringing or twisting something into shape, while they stay in contact.
• Check: the motion should be short and compact, with the fists touching throughout.

NEW

• Hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you, palm up.
• Curve your dominant hand slightly, palm facing up or toward you.
• Brush the back of your dominant hand across the non-dominant palm in a scooping motion, moving toward your non-dominant side and finishing slightly upward.
• Check: the movement should be one smooth sweep across the palm, not a tap.

FRIEND

• Bend both index fingers into hooks, with the other fingers closed.
• Hook your dominant index finger over your non-dominant index finger.
• Separate, flip, and hook again with the non-dominant finger now on top.
• Check: the two hooks should clearly reverse positions, which signals the mutual relationship the sign represents.

Putting the phrase together

Sign the three in sequence with a smooth transition: MAKE, NEW, FRIEND. ASL often does not add a separate ending for plurals the way English adds "-s"; plurality is commonly understood from context or shown by repeating or modifying the sign. Signing FRIEND once, in a context about meeting people, is generally understood.

Fluent signers may express the same idea differently, for example by focusing on meeting people rather than literally "making" friends, or by placing NEW FRIEND before the verb. If you want the phrasing that sounds most natural, ask a Deaf signer or ASL instructor how they would say it in your specific situation.

How to check that you got it right

Sign | What to check | Common mistake

MAKE | Both fists touching and twisting in opposite directions | Twisting only one hand with the fists apart

NEW | One scooping sweep across the flat palm | Tapping or slapping the palm

FRIEND | Index hooks clearly switch which finger is on top | Hooking once without reversing

Practicing in a mirror lets you see your handshapes and movement, but it does not confirm that a fluent signer would read the phrase as natural. The descriptions in this guide are general and were not drawn from a specific verified dictionary entry; regional and individual variations exist. Compare your signs against a reputable ASL video dictionary or get feedback from a Deaf signer or qualified instructor before relying on them.

Next steps

• Learn a few greeting signs, such as HELLO and NICE TO MEET YOU, to use alongside this phrase.
• Learn to fingerspell your name so you can introduce yourself.
• Look for local Deaf community events or ASL classes, where practicing with fluent signers will improve your accuracy faster than solo practice.