How to Sign Memories

In American Sign Language (ASL), "memories" is commonly expressed with the sign for REMEMBER. Context tells the viewer that you mean things recalled from the past rather than the act of remembering. ASL has no separate written suffix for this idea, so the same core sign can carry both meanings depending on how you use it in a sentence.

Which sign language this covers

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 vocabulary, and the sign described here may not apply to them. ASL also has regional variation, so signers in different areas may use a different form for the same idea.

How to form the sign step by step

• 1. Make a closed fist with your dominant hand and extend the thumb upward, similar to a thumbs-up shape.
• 2. Touch the tip of that thumb to your forehead. This location links the sign to thinking and the mind.
• 3. Hold your non-dominant hand in front of your body in the same shape, with the thumb pointing up.
• 4. Move your dominant hand down in one smooth motion and set its thumb on top of the thumb of your non-dominant hand.

The sign is formed correctly when the thumb touches the forehead first and then lands on the other thumb without a pause or extra movement in between. Both hands should keep the same handshape throughout.

Showing that you mean more than one memory

ASL does not add an "-s" to signs the way English adds one to words. Plural meaning usually comes from context. You can add a quantity sign such as MANY, use a number, or describe the specific memories you are talking about. For example, naming a childhood trip and a family holiday before or after the sign makes it clear that you mean several memories.

Clarify which meaning of "memory" you need

The sign above fits personal memories and the act of remembering. Related English words can use different signs. Examples include "memorize," a computer's memory, or a title such as a song or app called "Memories." This guide does not describe signs for those meanings because no verified descriptions were available. If you are unsure, fingerspelling the English word letter by letter (M-E-M-O-R-I-E-S) is a common fallback. For a proper name or title, fingerspelling is often the clearest choice.

How to check your result

You can practice in front of a mirror and compare your movement with a video from a reputable ASL dictionary. This confirms your handshape, the forehead starting point, and the downward path to the other thumb. It does not confirm whether local Deaf signers use the same form, or whether your facial expression and sentence context make the meaning clear. Facial expression carries grammatical and emotional meaning in ASL, so a fluent signer's feedback is the most reliable way to check that the sign reads naturally.

Limitations of this guide

No confirmed reference source was supplied for this article. The description above reflects the commonly taught form of REMEMBER, but it has not been checked against a specific dictionary entry. A written description also cannot fully capture movement, speed or facial expression. Before using the sign in an important conversation, check it against a reputable ASL dictionary video or ask a Deaf signer or certified ASL instructor.