How to Sign “Pass” in American Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), the sign usually taught for “pass” in the sense of going past or overtaking uses both hands in an A handshape. One hand moves forward past the other. ASL has no single sign that covers every meaning of the English word. Passing a test, handing someone an object, passing away and passing on your turn are usually signed differently, so first work out which meaning you need.

This guide covers ASL, the sign language most widely used in the United States. Other sign languages, such as British Sign Language, have their own vocabulary and may sign “pass” in a completely different way.

Terms you will need

• A handshape: a loose fist with the thumb resting straight up along the side of the index finger, not tucked under the fingers.
• Dominant hand: the hand you write with. It usually does the main movement.
• Non-dominant hand: your other hand. In this sign it mostly stays in place as a reference point.

How to sign “pass” as in going past

• 1. Form an A handshape with both hands.
• 2. Hold both hands in front of your body at about chest height, with palms facing each other and thumbs pointing up.
• 3. Place your dominant hand slightly behind your non-dominant hand, closer to your body.
• 4. Move your dominant hand forward in one smooth motion until it passes the non-dominant hand.
• 5. Keep your non-dominant hand still. The movement shows one thing going past another.

You have it right when the handshapes stay as A shapes the whole time and the dominant hand clearly ends up ahead of the non-dominant hand. The movement should be one forward pass, not a circle or a repeated tapping motion. The sign suits phrases such as passing a car, passing someone in a hallway or time passing by.

Other meanings of “pass”

ASL signs follow meaning, not English spelling. Before you sign, decide which sense of “pass” you mean:

• Passing a test or class: some signers use the passing motion described above. Others use a different sign or fingerspell the word. Practice varies by region and community, so check with signers around you.
• Handing something to someone, as in “pass the salt”: this is usually expressed with a giving sign or a movement that shows handing over an object, not the passing sign.
• Passing away: this is signed with a sign meaning “die,” not the passing sign.
• Passing on your turn or declining: this usually calls for a sign meaning “skip,” “decline” or “no thanks,” depending on context.
• A physical pass, such as a hall pass or boarding pass: signers often fingerspell the word or describe the object from context.

For these other meanings, look up the specific word in a reputable ASL dictionary that shows video, rather than reusing the going-past sign.

Checking that you signed it correctly

A written description cannot fully show the speed, angle and facial expression that go with a sign. To confirm your version:

• Compare your movement with video from an established ASL dictionary or a course taught by Deaf instructors.
• Ask a fluent signer, ideally a member of the Deaf community, to watch you sign it and give feedback.
• Use the sign in a full phrase rather than on its own. Context often decides which meaning of “pass” a viewer understands.

Limitations of this guide

This guide describes the commonly taught form of the going-past sign. It was not checked against a particular dictionary entry or against regional variants. ASL has regional and generational differences, and local signers may use a different form, especially for passing a test. Treat the steps above as a starting point and confirm them with a video source or a fluent signer.