How to Sign “Sit” and “Sit Down” in Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), “sit” and “sit down” usually use the same sign. Both hands make an H handshape, with the index and middle fingers extended together. Then rest the curved fingers of your dominant hand on top of the fingers of your other hand with one short downward movement. The two curved fingers represent legs hanging over the edge of a seat.

ASL does not need a separate word for “down.” The meaning of “sit down” comes from the single, settled movement, and from facial expression when you are asking or telling someone to sit.

Which sign language this covers

Sign languages are not universal. This guide describes ASL, the sign language used in the United States and parts of Canada. British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and other national sign languages have their own vocabulary, and their sign for sitting may look different. If you need the sign for a specific community outside ASL, check it with a fluent signer or a dictionary for that language. No evidence for those languages was available for this guide.

Step by step: signing SIT

• 1. Form an H handshape with your non-dominant hand: index and middle fingers extended and held together, other fingers folded, palm facing down, fingers pointing sideways across your body.
• 2. Form the same H handshape with your dominant hand, but bend the two extended fingers slightly so they curve downward.
• 3. Hold both hands at about chest height, in front of your body.
• 4. Bring the curved fingers of your dominant hand down onto the back of the fingers of your other hand, crossing them, and stop there with one movement.
• 5. If you are left-handed, swap the roles of the hands. Use whichever hand you normally lead with.

SIT versus CHAIR

The sign CHAIR uses the same handshapes and position as SIT. The difference is the movement. SIT is a single downward contact. CHAIR is usually a small double tap. This is a common noun–verb pattern in ASL, so tapping twice when you mean “sit” can make it read as “chair.”

Saying “sit down” to someone

To tell or invite someone to sit, use the same SIT sign, often with a firmer, more deliberate movement. Make eye contact and use a facial expression that matches your intent. A relaxed face reads as an invitation, and a more emphatic expression reads as an instruction. In casual situations, people may also use a simple gesture, such as a flat hand pressed downward, palm toward the floor, to mean “have a seat.” That gesture is not specific to ASL, but it is widely understood.

Showing “sitting” as an ongoing action

In ASL, “sitting” often does not need a separate sign. Context and the base sign SIT usually carry the meaning. To stress that someone has been sitting for a long time, signers commonly hold the sign or add a repeated, slow movement while the hands stay in contact. Exact forms vary between signers and regions, so treat this as a general pattern rather than a fixed rule.

Showing the sign clearly on a video call

Seeing your own camera preview does not by itself mean the other person sees a clear sign. Picture quality, framing and connection quality all affect what reaches them. These points help SIT and other signs come through:

• Frame yourself from roughly the waist or mid-torso up, with room above your head and on both sides, so your hands stay in view at chest height.
• Use even, front-facing light. A bright window behind you can turn your hands into silhouettes.
• A plain physical background that contrasts with your skin and clothing makes finger positions easier to read.
• Virtual background or blur effects can cut off or smear fast-moving hands. If your fingers seem to flicker or disappear in the preview, turn the effect off.
• Many call apps mirror your self-view, so your sign may look reversed to you while others see it the correct way. Do not “fix” your handedness based on the mirrored preview.

How to check that you are signing it correctly

Practice in front of a mirror or record a short clip with your camera, then compare it with a video entry for SIT in a reputable ASL dictionary or course. Check three things: the H handshape on both hands, the slight curve of the top fingers, and a single movement rather than a double tap. The most reliable confirmation comes from a Deaf signer or a qualified ASL instructor, because regional variation and natural signing details are hard to judge from written descriptions.