How to Sign “Sometimes” in Sign Language

The short answer

In American Sign Language (ASL), “sometimes” is usually signed with the index finger of your dominant hand brushing upward off the open palm of your other hand. You repeat that motion a few times at a slow, unhurried pace. A single upward motion means “once.” Repeating it slowly with pauses gives the idea of something that happens now and then.

Your dominant hand is the one you write with. Its role in a sign is the active one, while the other hand serves as a base.

Which sign language do you mean?

Sign languages are not universal. ASL, British Sign Language, Russian Sign Language and others each have their own vocabulary, and the same English word can be signed very differently in each. The description here is for ASL, the main sign language used in the United States. If you need the sign in Russian Sign Language or another national sign language, don't assume the ASL version carries over. Check a dictionary for that language or ask a fluent signer.

Step by step (ASL)

• 1. Hold your non-dominant hand open and flat, with the palm facing toward your body or slightly upward, at about chest height.
• 2. Extend the index finger of your dominant hand and fold the other fingers down.
• 3. Touch the tip of your index finger to the palm of your base hand.
• 4. Brush the finger upward and off the palm in a small arc.
• 5. Repeat the motion two or three times, slowly, with a slight pause between repetitions. A relaxed rhythm reads as “sometimes.” A single motion reads as “once.”

Signers also use facial expression and body language to add meaning, and individual signers and regions vary somewhat in how they perform this sign. A variant you see elsewhere isn't necessarily wrong.

Gaps in this guide

No source material was available to confirm the exact handshape, palm orientation or movement for this guide. The description reflects the commonly taught ASL form. Text alone can't show movement precisely. Before relying on the sign, compare it with a reputable ASL dictionary video, or ask a Deaf or fluent signer to watch you sign it.

Checking your signing on camera

If you plan to sign on a video call, or want to check your form, recording yourself is a practical way to verify the result. A camera can be detected by your device and granted access yet still fail to produce usable video. Confirm that you can see a live picture, then confirm that your hands are clear in it.

• Framing: keep both hands and your face in view. Signing happens from roughly the top of your head to your waist, so sit far enough back that your hands don't leave the frame.
• Mirroring: many video-call apps mirror your self-view, while other people see the unmirrored image. If the direction of a movement looks wrong in your preview, mirroring may be the reason. Check what others actually see with a test recording or a trusted contact.
• Lighting: light your face and hands from the front so handshapes and expressions aren't lost in shadow.
• Background: a plain physical background that contrasts with your skin tone and clothing makes your hands easier to read. Virtual backgrounds and background blur can clip or smear fast-moving hands, so turn them off if your fingers look distorted.
• Pace: video can blur quick motion. Signing at a steady, moderate pace helps the repeated movement of “sometimes” come through clearly.